By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern warning to over 1,000 newly retrained constables, making it clear that wearing a police uniform does not grant them the right to act above the law. Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Police Mobile Force Base in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the IGP emphasized that the era of professional recklessness and impunity within the force has come to an end.
He stated unequivocally that any officer who kills a citizen without lawful justification or misuses their weapon will face immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution, rather than simple transfers or internal queries.
“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,” Disu declared during his keynote address.
He further reminded the personnel that Force Order 237 remains the binding standard for conduct, insisting that firearms must only be used as a last resort, proportionately, and strictly within the bounds of the law. The IGP highlighted the difference between an unskilled officer, whom he described as a public danger, and a disciplined officer who serves as a true guardian. He specifically praised the Akwa Ibom Command for its initiative in training female officers in arms handling, reinforcing the idea that competence is not restricted by gender.
The warning also extended beyond the use of lethal force, as the IGP cautioned against common vices such as extortion and reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol. He urged the constables to carry their weapons with pride but restraint, wear their uniforms with dignity, and treat citizens with respect. Any officer caught violating these orders, he noted, would face summary dismissal and criminal prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom, CP Baba Azare, added that the retrained group includes a specialized Violent Crime Response Unit designed to act as a strategic strike force against serious crimes throughout the state. The ceremony also served as a platform to highlight recent successes by the local command, including the disposal of explosives at a custodial center and successful rescue operations along the state’s waterways. CP Azare reaffirmed the department’s dedication to community policing and encouraged residents to continue supporting the police with credible information.
