Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has ordered police officers across the country to take firm action against anyone found carrying firearms illegally, saying armed criminals will no longer be allowed to act without consequences.
He gave the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State. The move is part of fresh efforts to tackle growing insecurity, especially in states facing repeated violent attacks.
Disu said the order followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to security agencies to stop the ongoing violence in Benue State, where attacks by armed groups have killed people, forced many from their homes and destroyed property.
The IGP said only authorised security personnel have the legal right to carry firearms, warning that anyone found with weapons unlawfully would be treated as an armed threat.
“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 Force Order 237 allows police officers to respond immediately to armed threats without waiting for approval from senior officers.
According to Disu, the directive is aimed at protecting security personnel, many of whom have died during clashes with heavily armed criminals.
“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,” he said.
Disu also urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and reliable intelligence, saying public cooperation is key to restoring peace and tackling armed crime in Benue.
