Police Get Shoot-on-Sight Order Against Armed Criminals

By Our Correspondent

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed police officers nationwide to take decisive action against individuals found carrying illegal firearms, authorising officers to engage armed suspects in accordance with existing operational guidelines.

The directive was issued on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, as part of efforts to tackle the growing security challenges across the country.
Disu stressed that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms, warning that the unlawful possession of weapons would no longer be tolerated.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” the IGP said.
He explained that the directive is backed by Force Order 237, noting that police officers have been adequately trained and do not require further approval before taking necessary action within the provisions of the operational guidelines.
“We have given them instructions. We have 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 on sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you,” he stated.
The IGP also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to ensure that insecurity in Benue State is brought under control.
He added that achieving lasting success in the fight against insecurity would require the support and cooperation of residents, community leaders, and other stakeholders.