Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has issued a stern warning to all police officers across the country that any misuse of firearms in violation of Force Order 237 will attract immediate dismissal from service and subsequent criminal prosecution. The IGP made the declaration on Thursday, 30 April 2026, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during the passing‑out parade of 1,068 newly trained constables who completed their initial training at the state police command’s training school. Addressing the new graduates and senior officers present, Disu stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would no longer tolerate the indiscriminate or unlawful use of firearms by its personnel under any guise.
The IGP reminded the officers that Force Order 237, which provides clear guidelines on the lawful deployment and discharge of firearms, remains the authoritative operational code for all police actions involving weapons. He said that any officer who uses his or her firearm outside the strict parameters of the order would be held personally liable, and that supervisory officers who fail to enforce compliance would also face disciplinary action. “There is no escape route for anyone who takes the law into their own hands,” Disu told the gathering of young constables and their instructors. “If you violate the rules of engagement, you will be dismissed and you will be prosecuted. The Nigeria Police Force is not a platform for impunity.”
The IGP’s warning comes amid growing public outcry over a series of extrajudicial killings and shootings by police officers across the country, the most recent being the killing of a handcuffed suspect, Mene Ogidi, in Effurun, Delta State, on 26 April 2026. That incident, which was captured in a viral video, sparked nationwide outrage and led to the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the officer involved, ASP Nuhu Usman, along with five other officers who were found culpable. Disu’s address in Uyo is widely seen as part of a broader effort to reset police‑public relations ahead of the 2027 general elections and to signal a zero‑tolerance stance on rights abuses.
The passing‑out parade in Uyo was the first major public event for the 1,068 constables, who have undergone six months of rigorous training that included modules on human rights, conflict resolution, and the lawful use of force. Disu described the new recruits as the “new face of Nigerian policing” and urged them to be agents of change. “You are entering the force at a time when public trust is low. It is your duty to restore that trust by being professional, courteous, and lawful in all your dealings with citizens,” he said. He reminded them that their firearms are tools to protect life, not to threaten or extinguish it.
In his remarks, the IGP also addressed the issue of command responsibility, warning that area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical team leaders would be held vicariously liable for the conduct of their subordinates. “If your man misbehaves and you did nothing to stop it, you will answer for it,” Disu said. This directive aligns with recent policy changes within the police force that emphasise accountability up the chain of command. The IGP also announced that body cameras would be gradually deployed to patrol officers in high‑risk areas, a measure aimed at providing independent documentation of police‑citizen encounters.
The governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was also present at the ceremony, commended the IGP for his firm stance on discipline and pledged the state’s continued support for police reforms. “We will not condone any act of brutality by any security agent in this state,” Eno said, adding that his administration would collaborate with the police to ensure that the new constables are deployed to areas where they can best serve the community. The governor also donated 20 patrol vehicles and 100 motorcycles to the state police command to enhance mobility.
The IGP’s warning has drawn mixed reactions from civil society groups. While some have praised the move as a necessary step toward ending police brutality, others have expressed skepticism about enforcement. The Executive Director of the Centre for Law Enforcement Education, Dr. Benson Olugbuo, said that while the IGP’s statement is commendable, its effectiveness depends on consistent application. “We have heard similar warnings before, only for officers to be quietly redeployed after committing atrocities. The acid test will be whether the police leadership follows through with prosecutions and dismissals without political interference,” he said. The Nigerian Bar Association also issued a statement welcoming the directive and urging the IGP to publish the names and punishments of all officers disciplined for firearms misuse.
For the 1,068 new constables, the IGP’s words were both a warning and a charge. The parade marked the end of their training and the beginning of their active service. They will be posted to various divisions across the state, where they will be expected to put into practice the principles of professional policing. The IGP reminded them that the badge they now wear is a symbol of trust, and that each officer carries the reputation of the entire force on their shoulders. “Go out there and make Nigeria proud,” Disu concluded.
The Nigeria Police Force has, in recent weeks, taken several steps to reform its operations. The dissolution of all tactical squads nationwide, the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit, and the ongoing nationwide training on human rights are part of the broader reform agenda under IGP Disu. Whether these measures will translate into a lasting reduction in police brutality remains to be seen. However, the IGP’s latest warning represents a clear and public commitment to accountability, and the 1,068 new constables in Uyo are now the first line of that commitment.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments