By, Tayo Olatunji

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified remarks by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on the use of firearms by police officers, saying he did not issue a “shoot-on-sight” order against people carrying illegal arms.

Several media outlets had reported on Friday that Disu ordered police officers to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms following his remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.

However, in a clarification issued on Saturday, the Force said the IGP had been referring to Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police officers.

The clarification, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” was accompanied by a video of Disu’s remarks at the meeting.

“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 Force said.

“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,” the Force added.

In the video, Disu partly said, “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.

“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, “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.”

Meanwhile, an independent check by PUNCH Online on policinglaw.info shows that Force Order 237 is a set of regulations governing the use of force and firearms by the Nigeria Police Force, including the circumstances under which officers may legally deploy firearms, such as self-defence, the escape of felony suspects or immediate armed threats.

Cc: THE PUNCH