No badge is a licence to kill – IGP
He warned that firearms must only be used as a last resort and strictly within the provisions of the law, reaffirming that Force Order 237 remains fully binding on all officers.
The IGP said an unskilled officer carrying a weapon constitutes a danger to society, while a disciplined and properly trained officer serves as a genuine protector of the people.
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*Disu
The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday passed out 1,068 retrained police constables in Uyo, with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, declaring that the era of impunity, recklessness and abuse of power within the Force is over.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, Uyo, Disu said the retraining exercise marked the beginning of a new professional culture within the Force, stressing that policing must be rooted in discipline, skill and accountability.
He warned that firearms must only be used as a last resort and strictly within the provisions of the law, reaffirming that Force Order 237 remains fully binding on all officers.
The IGP said an unskilled officer carrying a weapon constitutes a danger to society, while a disciplined and properly trained officer serves as a genuine protector of the people.
Referencing his national broadcast of 29 April 2026, Disu issued a stern warning against unlawful killings and misuse of firearms.
“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 licence to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice,” he said.
He also warned officers against extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, and reckless use of firearms, promising summary dismissal and criminal prosecution for offenders.
Disu commended the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for leading the comprehensive retraining of female police officers in arms handling last year, noting that competence in policing is not determined by gender.
He charged the newly retrained constables to carry their weapons with pride but restraint, wear their uniforms with dignity, and treat members of the public with respect.
“The real examination begins tomorrow, when you return to the streets,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed that some of the retrained officers had been specially selected for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, created in line with the IGP’s directive to combat violent crime across the state.
Azare also highlighted recent operational achievements by the Command, including the safe evacuation of explosive devices at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre and the rescue of kidnapped victims along the Calabar–Oron waterways through inter-agency collaboration.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Government, senior police officers and top security officials. The command reaffirmed its commitment to community policing and urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information, assuring the public that all reports of abuse or misconduct would be thoroughly investigated.
