Police Clarify IG Did Not Order Shooting in Benue

The Nigeria Police Force has explained comments made by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, about police use of guns. They said he did not give any order to "shoot-on-sight" for people with illegal guns.

On Friday, some media outlets reported that Disu told police to shoot anyone carrying illegal firearms. This was said to follow his comments at a meeting with stakeholders in Makurdi, Benue State.

But on Saturday, the Police Force clarified that the IGP was actually talking about Force Order 237. This order outlines the legal rules for police officers on how and when to use their firearms.

The clarification was titled "Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi." It included a video of Disu's comments at the meeting.

The Force stated, "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."

They added, "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."

Disu also said that illegal possession of arms and killings would not be accepted. The public was urged to watch the attached video for the complete context of his remarks.

In the video, Disu stated, "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."

He continued, "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."

Disu added, "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 also expressed concern about the safety of police officers, saying, "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."

An independent check by PUNCH Online on policinglaw.info shows that Force Order 237 includes rules about how police can use force and firearms. It specifies when officers can legally use firearms, such as in self-defence, when a suspect is escaping, or when there is an immediate armed threat.