Your uniform not a license to kill, IGP tells policemen

In a stern address to 1,068 retrained constables, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has unequivocally declared an end to impunity within the Nigeria Police Force. His message is clear: the uniform is not a license to kill, nor a shield against justice. This strong stance, delivered during the passing-out parade in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, signals a new era where professional recklessness and unlawful killings will be met with severe consequences – dismissal and prosecution, not mere transfers or queries.

Disu's emphasis on lawful justification for the use of firearms underscores a critical need for discipline and adherence to the law. He rightly pointed out that an armed but unskilled officer poses a danger, while a skilled and disciplined one serves as a true guardian. The commendation of the Akwa Ibom Command for pioneering the retraining of female officers in arms handling is a welcome note, highlighting that competence knows no gender and reinforcing the IGP's commitment to professionalizing the force.

The directive reiterates Force Order 237, stressing that firearms are a last resort, to be used proportionately and within legal boundaries. Warnings against extortion and operating under the influence of alcohol are also paramount. The newly retrained constables are charged to wear their uniforms with dignity and treat citizens with respect, carrying their weapons with pride but also with restraint. The establishment of a Violent Crime Response Unit further demonstrates the IGP's strategic approach to tackling crime head-on.

This initiative by the Nigeria Police Force, under IGP Disu's leadership, is a vital step towards rebuilding public trust. By holding officers accountable and emphasizing the sanctity of human life and the rule of law, the force aims to transform itself into a more professional and service-oriented institution. The commitment to community policing and encouraging public-police partnerships through timely information sharing is also crucial for effective crime prevention and control.

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Impunity ends now. Any officer who misuses his weapon, who kills a citizen without lawful justification, will be dismissed and prosecuted. Not transferred. Not queried. Not redeployed. No badge is a license to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice.