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Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has directed officers across the country to take decisive action against individuals found in possession of illegal firearms, including using force where necessary to protect lives and public safety. He gave the directive during a strategic security meeting with senior police commanders, saying armed criminal groups must no longer be allowed to operate with impunity. The order was issued amid renewed concerns over violent crime, banditry, kidnapping and the proliferation of illicit weapons across Nigeria.
According to the police leadership, the directive is not a blanket authorisation for extrajudicial killings. The Force said officers are expected to act within the law and in accordance with the Police Act, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and established rules on the use of force. The emphasis, officials said, is on neutralising imminent threats posed by armed suspects who refuse lawful orders or endanger officers and members of the public.
The statement has generated strong reactions from legal practitioners, civil society organisations and security analysts. Supporters argue that tougher enforcement is necessary to curb the circulation of illegal weapons, while critics warn that such language could be abused if not accompanied by strict oversight, accountability mechanisms and clear operational guidelines. The police have maintained that all officers remain bound by constitutional protections of the right to life and due process, and that any misuse of force will attract disciplinary and legal consequences.
