..IGP Disu Takes Hardline Stance as Benue Security Crisis Worsens
By Beatrice Gondyi
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered officers to open fire on any person spotted with unlicensed firearms, effective immediately.
The directive, which came on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s marching orders to restore peace in the troubled North-Central region, signals a dramatic shift in the nation’s law enforcement approach.
Disu, who addressed security chiefs and community leaders in Makurdi on Friday, made it clear that patience had run out. He described the current security situation as “intolerable” and stressed that officers are now legally backed to neutralise threats without hesitation. The operative framework for this order, he noted, is rooted in existing police protocols—particularly Force Order 237—which permits immediate lethal response when officers or civilians face grave danger from armed assailants.
The IGP was blunt in his assessment, pointing to the mounting casualty figures among security personnel as a key reason for the escalation. “We can no longer afford to bury our men every week while criminals roam freely,” he was quoted as saying during the closed-door session. He further urged officers to exercise sound judgment, but reaffirmed that the days of waiting for reinforcements before engaging armed suspects are over.
Complementing the shoot-on-sight order, security forces have kicked off a two-week targeted sweep across Benue’s most volatile local government areas, including Kwande, Agatu, and Otukpo. Intelligence sources indicate that these zones have become hotbeds for militia activities, communal clashes, and cattle rustling—all fueled by the easy availability of illegal weapons.
While the directive has drawn praise from some community leaders weary of persistent attacks, human rights advocates have already raised concerns about potential abuses. The IGP, however, moved to preempt such criticism, insisting that the order applies strictly to confirmed illegal arms carriers and not to unarmed civilians. He also appealed to traditional rulers and local vigilantes to collaborate with the police by sharing actionable intelligence, warning that officers would not distinguish between bandits and their informants if found complicit.
As the operation unfolds, residents across Benue are bracing for heightened military and police presence. For now, the government appears resolute: the message to gun-wielding non-state actors is unambiguous—surrender your weapons or face the consequences.
Discussion about this post