IGP Disu denies ordering officers to shoot criminals at sight in Benue

The Inspector General of Police, IGP
Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said he never directed officers on “shoot at sight” contrary to reports in some sections of the media.

The police boss gave this clarification during a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.

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The denial was contained in a statement on Saturday, saying the report was a gross misrepresentation of the IGP’s comments.

The statement noted that the IGP emphasised the provisions of Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police personnel.

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The statement quoted the IGP have told men and officers under which circumstances the firearm could be deployed in line with the established Rules of Engagement.

Accordingly, the inspector General’s remarks were intended to ensure professionalism and compliance with the global best practices and with existing
existing operational guidelines rather than authorise indiscriminate use of force.

This is even as the IGP said the force will not tolerate illegal possession of firearms and acts of violence, including unlawful killings.

The IGP urged members of the public and the media to ignore reports that he ordered officers to shoot criminals at sight, insisted that his words were 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.

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