IG Didn’t Order Officers To Shoot Criminals On Sight – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, did not issue a “shoot-on-sight” order during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, contrary to reports in some sections of the media.

In a statement issued to correct what it described as a misrepresentation of the IGP’s comments, the Force said the police chief merely reiterated the provisions of Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police personnel.

According to the statement, the IGP told stakeholders that officers had been adequately briefed on the provisions of the order and understood the circumstances under which firearms could be deployed in line with the established Rules of Engagement.

The Force explained that the Inspector-General’s remarks were intended to emphasise professionalism and compliance with existing operational guidelines rather than authorise indiscriminate use of force.

The statement further noted that the IGP stressed that illegal possession of firearms and acts of violence, including unlawful killings, would not be tolerated.

The Force urged members of the public and the media to disregard reports suggesting that the IGP ordered officers to shoot suspects on sight, describing such claims as inaccurate and taken out of context.

It also encouraged the public to watch the full video of the Inspector-General’s remarks to better understand the context of his statement and help curb the spread of misinformation.