By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has issued a strong directive to officers of the Nigeria Police Force, declaring that the era of impunity, professional recklessness, and abuse of power within the Force has come to an end.
Speaking on Thursday in Uyo at the passing-out ceremony of 1,068 retrained constables at the 26 Police Mobile Force base, the IGP described the retraining programme as a decisive shift toward professionalism and accountability, rather than a routine exercise.
He stressed that competence and discipline must define modern policing, warning that “an unskilled officer with a gun is a danger to the public, while a skilled and disciplined officer is a true guardian of the people.”
Reinforcing his earlier national broadcast of April 29, 2026, Disu delivered a blunt warning: “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.”
He reiterated that Force Order 237 — which governs the use of firearms — remains fully in effect, emphasizing that weapons must only be deployed as a last resort and within the limits of the law. The police chief also cautioned against extortion, intoxication while on duty, and reckless firearm use, noting that violations would attract immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution. Disu commended the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for leading reforms, particularly the retraining of female officers in arms handling, stating that gender is no barrier to operational competence.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Mohammed Azare, revealed that some of the retrained officers have been selected for the newly created Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a specialised team designed to tackle violent crimes swiftly. He also highlighted recent operational successes, including the safe evacuation of explosives at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre and the rescue of kidnapped victims along the Calabar–Oron waterways through coordinated inter-agency efforts.
The renewed stance by the police leadership comes amid sustained public criticism over extrajudicial killings, extortion, and abuse of authority by officers across the country. By tying misconduct directly to dismissal and prosecution, the IGP appears to be signalling a shift toward stricter internal discipline and legal accountability.
If enforced consistently, the directive could restore public confidence in policing, strengthen community cooperation, and reduce incidents of abuse.
However, analysts note that its real impact will depend on transparent implementation, sustained oversight, and whether senior officers are held to the same standards as rank-and-file personnel.
The police command also urged residents to support law enforcement by providing credible information, assuring that complaint channels remain open and that all reports of misconduct will be investigated and acted upon.
