IGP Orders Police to Shoot on Sight Anyone Carrying Illegal Firearms

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has directed police officers across the country to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms, declaring that security agencies will no longer tolerate armed criminality.

Disu issued the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, where he said the order followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the lingering insecurity in Benue State must be decisively addressed.

According to the police chief, only authorised members of the security services are legally permitted to bear firearms, warning that anyone found carrying weapons unlawfully would be treated as an immediate security threat.

“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” Disu said.

The IGP explained that the directive is backed by Force Order 237, which provides operational guidelines on the use of firearms by police officers.

“We have given them instructions. We have a Force Order 237. Police officers have been instructed that they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms,” he stated.

Disu said the decision became necessary following repeated attacks that have claimed the lives of security personnel across different parts of the country.

“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow,” he said.

“They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary.”

The IGP, however, stressed that security agencies cannot defeat criminal elements without the support of local communities.

He urged residents of Benue State and other Nigerians to cooperate with security operatives by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of preventing attacks and leading to the arrest of criminal suspects.

According to him, effective policing depends not only on the efforts of law enforcement officers but also on the willingness of citizens to share useful information.

The stakeholders’ meeting formed part of renewed efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies to restore peace in Benue State, which has witnessed recurring attacks by armed groups in recent months.

Disu assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting lives and property while working closely with other security agencies to tackle insecurity across the country.