The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered police officers in Nigeria to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms.
Disu gave the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
According to the IG, the order followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the persistent insecurity in Benue State must be brought to an end. This was said to be part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity.
He stressed that only authorised security personnel were legally permitted to bear firearms, warning that the era of passive policing was over.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said.
Disu disclosed that police officers had been empowered under Force Order 237 to respond decisively to armed threats without waiting for directives from superior officers.
The IG said, “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 called on residents to support security agencies with credible information, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to the fight against armed criminality.
Benue State has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, resulting in the loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property.
The federal government has continued to deploy additional security personnel and adopt tougher measures aimed at restoring peace in the state.
Concerns About Human Rights Grow Amid IGP’s Order
Disu’s order for policemen to shoot individuals found carrying illegal firearms has sparked widespread debate over public safety, abuse of power, and respect for human rights.
Some argued that the order is necessary to combat rising cases of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, where criminals often use illegal weapons to threaten lives and evade arrest. They think that the directive could deter armed criminals and strengthen the fight against insecurity.
However, human rights advocates warn that such an order could be misused by officers, leading to unlawful killings and violations of the constitutional right to life.
According to these critics, without clear operational guidelines, accountability mechanisms, and proper oversight, innocent civilians could become victims of mistaken identity or excessive use of force.
They noted that Nigerian and international human rights standards permit the use of lethal force only when it is strictly necessary to protect life and when no other reasonable option exists.
According to human rights advocates, every person, including those suspected of possessing illegal firearms, is entitled to due process under the law.
As security agencies intensify efforts to tackle violent crime, experts say the challenge lies in ensuring that officers act professionally, proportionately, and within the law.
Achieving a balance between effective law enforcement and the protection of fundamental human rights remains essential to maintaining public trust in the police.