The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims that Inspector-General Olatunji Disu mandated a “shoot-on-sight” policy targeting individuals found in possession of illegal weapons.
The clarification came in response to widespread press reports on Friday alleging that Disu had instructed personnel to shoot armed individuals on sight following a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.
Setting the record straight on Saturday, force management explained that the Inspector-General was explicitly citing Force Order 237.
According to the independent legal portal policinglaw.info, these long-standing regulations govern officers’ use of force and firearms, strictly restricting weapons deployment to specific conditions such as self-defence, countering immediate armed threats, or preventing the escape of dangerous suspects.
In an official public clarification released alongside video footage of the event, the Force dismissed the initial reports as misinterpretations.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, did not issue any ‘shoot-on-sight’ order as widely misreported,” the statement read.
“What he actually said was that officers have been briefed on Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for firearm use, and that they know when it is appropriate to deploy their weapons in line with established Rules of Engagement.
He further stressed that illegal arms possession and killings would not be tolerated. The public is encouraged to view the attached video of the Inspector-General’s actual remarks for the full context.”
Addressing the gathering in Makurdi, Disu warned that unlawful weapons possession would be met with strict enforcement, pointing out that only state security agencies are legally permitted to carry arms.
“We have given instructions to our men. We are the only ones recognized to carry arms around. No other person is entitled to do that,” Disu said. “You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated. We have given them necessary instructions.”
“We have Force Order 237. Police officers have been told they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms,” he added, citing the heavy toll of continuous operational casualties.
“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers and other members of security agencies dying anyhow. They have been instructed, they have been trained to do what is necessary.”