IGP Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Firearms, Directs Police to Neutralise Armed Threats
IGP Olatunji Disu
By The Analyst
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has announced a tougher nationwide security posture, directing police officers to take immediate action against individuals found unlawfully carrying firearms as part of renewed efforts to stem violent crime and restore public confidence in Nigeria's security architecture.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholders' security meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State, on Friday, the IGP said the directive aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's instruction that the persistent wave of insecurity in Benue and other troubled parts of the country must be decisively addressed.
Disu stressed that the illegal possession of firearms poses a grave threat to national security, warning that only personnel legally authorised under Nigerian law are permitted to bear arms.
According to the police chief, officers have been empowered under Force Order 237 to respond swiftly to armed threats without seeking prior approval from superior authorities whenever lives are at risk.
"You cannot move around carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated," the IGP declared, reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force's determination to confront armed criminality with greater resolve.
He noted that the new operational posture was informed by the growing number of security personnel killed while combating criminals across the country.
"We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers and other members of the security agencies dying unnecessarily," he said.
The Inspector-General added that officers have received the necessary operational training to apply the directive professionally and within the framework of existing policing regulations.
While calling on citizens to support ongoing security operations through timely and credible intelligence, Disu maintained that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without active collaboration between communities and security agencies.
Benue State has remained one of Nigeria's major insecurity flashpoints, with recurring attacks by armed groups claiming numerous lives, displacing thousands of residents and destroying homes and livelihoods. In response, the Federal Government has continued to deploy additional security personnel and strengthen coordinated operations aimed at restoring lasting peace.
The Analyst Insight
The latest directive reflects the Federal Government's resolve to adopt more aggressive measures against armed criminality. However, security analysts note that the effectiveness of the policy will depend on strict adherence to the law, professional policing standards, robust intelligence gathering, and respect for the constitutional rights of citizens. They also argue that addressing the root causes of insecurity—including the proliferation of illegal arms, weak border controls, and socio-economic challenges—remains essential for achieving sustainable peace.