By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed police officers across Nigeria to take decisive action against individuals found unlawfully carrying firearms, as part of a renewed nationwide offensive against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal weapons. The directive was issued during a security stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, amid ongoing efforts to curb insecurity across the country.
According to the IGP, only authorised security personnel are permitted to bear firearms, warning that anyone found carrying weapons illegally should be treated as an armed threat.
He said the directive is intended to end what he described as the growing impunity of armed criminals and is backed by existing operational guidelines, including Force Order 237, which governs the lawful use of force by police officers.
Disu stressed that the order forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force to tackle banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes that have claimed thousands of lives across several states.
He urged police commands nationwide to enforce the directive professionally while remaining within the bounds of the law and the Police Act.
The announcement has generated widespread public debate, with supporters arguing that tougher measures are necessary to confront heavily armed criminal groups.
Others, however, have expressed concern over the potential for abuse, urging the police to ensure strict compliance with constitutional safeguards and rules of engagement to prevent extrajudicial killings and protect the rights of innocent citizens.
The Nigeria Police Force also appealed to members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing credible intelligence on the movement of illegal weapons and suspected criminals, maintaining that public cooperation remains essential to restoring peace and improving security across the country.
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