Caption: Screenshot of one of the viral news reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police ordered officers to “shoot on sight” anyone carrying illegal firearms.
Claim
Several online news platforms and social media users claimed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, ordered police officers to “shoot on sight” anyone found carrying illegal firearms during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.
The reports were widely circulated across News Websites like The Cable among others, as well as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp and other online platforms, generating public concern because such an order would have significant legal and human rights implications.
Because of the widespread circulation of the claim, we decided to verify whether the Inspector-General actually issued such a directive.
Verification
To verify the claim, we first reviewed the original reports published by different news organisations and compared the headlines with the Inspector-General’s actual remarks.
We then watched the complete video of the stakeholders’ meeting released by the Nigeria Police Force through its official Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Official Facebook Video:
Official Instagram Video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbNnQJhMd7y/
Caption: Screenshot from the official Nigeria Police Force video showing the Inspector-General addressing stakeholders in Makurdi.
A careful review of the video shows that the Inspector-General reminded police officers about Force Order 237, the operational guideline regulating the lawful use of firearms by members of the Nigeria Police Force.
During the meeting, he emphasised that officers already understand the Rules of Engagement and know the circumstances under which firearms may lawfully be used.
He also warned that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to carry firearms and stressed the need to tackle the proliferation of illegal weapons.
To further verify the claim, we examined the complete transcript of the Inspector-General’s speech.
Full transcript:
(VIDEO) Shoot-on-sight controversy: Full transcript of what IG said in Benue
The transcript shows that while the Inspector-General made strong remarks against illegal possession of firearms, he did not expressly instruct officers to shoot every person found carrying an illegal firearm.
Following the widespread interpretation of his remarks, the Nigeria Police Force issued an official clarification explaining that the comments had been taken out of context.
Official clarification:
Caption: Screenshot of the Nigeria Police Force clarification explaining the Inspector-General’s remarks.
According to the Police, the Inspector-General referred officers to Force Order 237, which already provides guidance on the lawful use of firearms. The Force stated that no blanket “shoot-on-sight” directive was issued.
To understand the Inspector-General’s reference, we reviewed Force Order 237, which regulates the use of firearms by police officers.
Reference:
https://www.policinglaw.info/assets/downloads/Nigerian_Police_Force_Order_237.pdf
Force Order 237 provides that firearms may only be used under specific legal circumstances such as self-defence, protection of life or other situations permitted by law. It does not authorise indiscriminate use of lethal force against every person found carrying an illegal firearm.
Caption: Relevant section of Force Order 237 outlining the lawful use of firearms by police
Verdict
Our findings show that the widely circulated claim lacks important context.
Although the Inspector-General made strong remarks about tackling illegal possession of firearms and reminded officers about Force Order 237, neither the official video nor the full transcript shows that he issued a blanket order directing police officers to shoot every individual found carrying an illegal firearm.
The subsequent clarification issued by the Nigeria Police Force also explains that his remarks were intended to reinforce the existing Rules of Engagement governing the lawful use of firearms.
Therefore, the claim that the Inspector-General ordered police officers to “shoot on sight” anyone carrying illegal firearms is MISLEADING.
Sources
- Punch Newspapers. IG did not issue “shoot-on-sight” order in Benue – Police.
https://punchng.com/ig-did-not-issue-shoot-on-sight-order-in-benue-police/ - Punch Newspapers. Video: Shoot-on-sight controversy – Full transcript of what the IG said in Benue.
https://punchng.com/video-shoot-on-sight-controversy-full-transcript-of-what-ig-said-in-benue/ - Nigeria Police Force. Official Facebook Video.
https://www.facebook.com/ngpolice/videos/27905758169058414/ - Nigeria Police Force. Official Instagram Video.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbNnQJhMd7y/ - Nigeria Police Force. Force Order 237 – Use of Firearms by Police Officers.
https://www.policinglaw.info/assets/downloads/Nigerian_Police_Force_Order_237.pdf
