Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has directed police officers nationwide to take decisive action against individuals carrying illegal firearms, warning that armed criminal elements will no longer be tolerated as security agencies intensify efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered police personnel across the country to take firm action against anyone found carrying illegal firearms, as part of an intensified nationwide campaign to curb the proliferation of illicit weapons.
Speaking during a security engagement in Makurdi, Benue State, the police chief warned that illegal possession of firearms poses a serious threat to national security and public safety, stressing that officers must not hesitate to confront armed criminals within the law.
Crackdown on Illegal Arms
Disu said the directive forms part of a broader strategy to recover illegal weapons and dismantle criminal networks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force is working closely with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) and other security agencies to intercept illicit weapons before they reach criminals.
Intelligence-Led Operations
According to the IGP, the Force will rely on intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration to identify arms trafficking routes and recover illegally possessed firearms.
He also encouraged the voluntary surrender of illegal weapons while warning that anyone found unlawfully carrying firearms would face the full weight of the law.
Focus on Election Security
Disu noted that the circulation of illegal arms remains one of the biggest threats to peaceful elections and national stability.
He said the police are determined to prevent armed violence before political campaigns gather momentum, adding that every recovered weapon reduces the risk of criminal attacks and electoral violence.
Clarification on the Directive
While reports summarized the directive as “shoot on sight,” the IGP’s broader remarks focused on confronting individuals illegally bearing arms and intensifying operations against armed criminals. The use of force by police officers remains subject to Nigeria’s laws and established rules governing police conduct.