The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed police personnel across the country to confront individuals found carrying illegal firearms, urging officers to apply Force Order 327 in tackling armed criminals.
Disu gave the directive on Friday during a town hall meeting with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi as part of his operational visit to the state following the recent wave of deadly attacks.
Addressing security concerns raised by participants at the meeting, the IGP said officers should not hesitate to engage armed criminals, stressing that Force Order 327 provides the legal backing needed to protect both security personnel and innocent citizens during such encounters.
The meeting provided an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to express concerns over the persistent violence in Benue, with many questioning the motives behind the attacks and the inability of security agencies to arrest suspected perpetrators despite intelligence reports.
Responding, Disu assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to tackling insecurity and would deal decisively with criminal elements regardless of their ethnic or social background.
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He also called on youths in Benue State to partner with the police by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of preventing attacks and aiding the arrest of criminals.
Governor Alia, in his remarks, renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen efforts to address the state’s security challenges and complement the operations of the conventional police.
The Tor Tiv also pledged the support of the traditional institution for any security strategy aimed at ending the killings and restoring peace across the state.
The town hall meeting was attended by senior police officers and heads of other security agencies, who discussed measures to improve security coordination and curb the ongoing violence in Benue.
