The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, ordered officers to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms in Benue State, saying his remarks were wrongly interpreted.
The clarification followed widespread media reports on Friday claiming that the IGP had directed police officers to immediately shoot anyone seen with illegal weapons during his visit to Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, the Force said the IGP never gave such an order. Instead, it explained that Disu was reminding officers of the provisions of Force Order 237, the police regulation that sets out the legal conditions under which officers may use firearms while carrying out their duties.
The statement, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” was accompanied by a video recording of the IGP’s speech at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benue State.
According to the police, the comments made by the IGP had been taken out of context, leading to misleading reports that suggested he had authorised indiscriminate use of firearms against civilians.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, did not issue any ‘shoot-on-sight’ order as widely misreported,” the statement said.
The Force explained that Disu merely reminded officers that they had already been briefed on Force Order 237 and understood the circumstances under which they were legally permitted to use firearms.
“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,” the statement added.
The police also stressed that the IGP made it clear that the growing problem of illegal arms possession and violent attacks would no longer be tolerated.
“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,” the statement said.
In the video released by the Force, the IGP told participants that only legally authorised security personnel are permitted to carry firearms in public.
“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.”
He further explained that officers had already received training on Force Order 237 and therefore understood when the use of firearms was justified.
“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 said.
The IGP also expressed concern over the increasing number of security personnel being killed while performing their duties.
“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,” he added.
The clarification comes at a time when Benue State continues to face serious security challenges, including recurring attacks by armed groups, communal clashes and violent criminal activities. The state has witnessed repeated killings and displacement of residents, prompting increased deployment of security personnel by the Federal Government.
In recent months, security agencies have intensified operations against armed criminals operating in parts of Benue and neighbouring states. Authorities have repeatedly expressed concern over the widespread circulation of illegal firearms, which they say has worsened insecurity across several communities.
Force Order 237 has often been the subject of public debate in Nigeria because it outlines when police officers may lawfully use force and firearms. The order permits the use of firearms in specific situations, including self-defence, protection of others from imminent danger, preventing the escape of dangerous suspects, and other circumstances allowed by law. It also requires officers to act within the rules of engagement and avoid unnecessary use of lethal force.
Human rights groups have in the past called for strict compliance with the order to prevent abuses, while the police have maintained that officers receive regular training on its provisions.
By releasing both the clarification and the full video of the IGP’s remarks, the Nigeria Police Force appears to be addressing public concerns and correcting what it described as inaccurate reporting.
The Force urged members of the public and the media to rely on verified information and consider the full context of official statements before drawing conclusions.
The clarification is expected to ease concerns that the police had adopted a blanket policy permitting officers to shoot anyone found carrying firearms. Instead, the Force insists that its personnel remain bound by existing laws, operational guidelines and the rules governing the use of force.