Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Friday directed police officers across Nigeria to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms. He gave the order during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, as part of efforts to address worsening insecurity.
The police chief said the directive followed President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that the security situation in Benue State must be brought under control. He explained that only security personnel legally authorised to carry weapons should be seen with firearms, adding that anyone found with illegal arms would be treated as a threat.
Disu said the police had moved beyond passive policing and that officers had been given clear operational instructions on how to respond to armed suspects. He stated that the existing police rules already empower officers to use their firearms when the situation demands it without waiting for further approval from superior officers.
He noted that security agencies had continued to lose personnel in attacks across the country and said stronger action had become necessary to protect officers and members of the public. According to him, the latest directive is aimed at preventing further attacks by armed criminals and restoring public safety.
The Inspector-General also appealed to residents to support security agencies by providing useful information that could help in the fight against crime. He said cooperation between the public and law enforcement remains important to achieving lasting peace and improving security across the country.