INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed police personnel across the country to deal decisively with individuals bearing illegal firearms, ordering officers to invoke Force Order 327 in confronting armed criminals.
News Point Nigeria reports that the IGP gave the directive 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 killings and insecurity across Benue.
Disu urged police officers to fully apply Force Order 327 in tackling armed criminals, stressing that the measure would help prevent the loss of security personnel during confrontations while restoring peace and security in the state.
During the meeting, the IGP listened to concerns raised by participants, who questioned the motives behind the persistent attacks in Benue and expressed worries over what they described as the failure of security agencies to arrest suspected security threats despite the availability of intelligence.
Responding to the concerns, Disu directed police personnel to engage criminals found bearing illegal arms without waiting for any specific order, explaining that Force Order 327 provides protection for officers carrying out their lawful duties while also safeguarding innocent citizens from attacks.
The police chief also called on youths in Benue State to work closely with the police by providing credible intelligence that would aid efforts to combat all forms of criminality.
He assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force would deal with criminals irrespective of their ethnic, religious or demographic backgrounds.
To complement the IGP’s directive, Governor Hyacinth Alia renewed his call for the establishment and implementation of state police, arguing that it would strengthen the conventional police in addressing the prevailing security challenges in Benue and other parts of the country.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Tor Tiv pledged his full support for every lawful strategy and initiative aimed at ending the killings and restoring lasting peace in the state.
The town hall meeting was attended by senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force as well as security chiefs from other sister security agencies, who discussed measures to improve security coordination and tackle the escalating violence in Benue State.
