Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has directed police officers across the country to shoot anyone found carrying illegal firearms, saying the move is part of renewed efforts to tackle rising insecurity.
Disu gave the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, explaining that the order followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to end the persistent security crisis in the state.
According to the police chief, only authorised security personnel are permitted by law to carry firearms, warning that security agencies would no longer tolerate armed individuals operating outside the law.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” the IGP said.
He added that officers have been empowered under the existing police operational guidelines to act without waiting for further approval when confronted with armed threats.
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“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.
“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow.
“They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you.”
Disu also appealed to residents of Benue State to work closely with security agencies by providing useful intelligence, stressing that community support remains vital to combating armed crime and restoring peace.