The Nigeria Police Force has formally denied reports claiming that Inspector-General Olatunji Disu issued a shoot-on-sight directive. Force Public Relations Officer Aniete Iniedu clarified on Saturday that the comments made by the IGP during a stakeholder event in Makurdi, Benue State, were inaccurately reported and stripped of their original context.
In the official statement, Iniedu explained that the IGP had focused on the proliferation of illicit weapons, which contribute significantly to criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery. Disu reminded the force that only authorized personnel are permitted to possess firearms and that all usage is strictly governed by Force Order 237. This regulation mandates that any use of force must remain within legal boundaries and professional standards.
The police leadership emphasized that there was no instruction to engage in indiscriminate firing. The statement stressed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to upholding human rights, the Constitution, and professional conduct. To address the confusion, authorities encouraged the public and media outlets to review the full video of the proceedings to understand the actual remarks made. Officials also urged for the verification of information to prevent the spread of misinformation that could undermine public safety and trust in law enforcement institutions.
