Disu invokes Force Order 327 as Governor Alia renews call for state police to tackle insecurity.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed police personnel across the country to deal decisively with individuals bearing illegal firearms, particularly in efforts to curb insecurity in Benue State.
Disu gave the directive during a town hall meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi as part of his operational visit following the recent spate of killings in the state.
He urged officers to apply Force Order 327 when confronting armed criminals, stressing that the provision empowers personnel to respond appropriately without waiting for specific orders while protecting both officers and innocent civilians.
During the meeting, participants raised concerns over the persistent attacks in Benue and questioned why security agencies often fail to arrest suspected criminals despite available intelligence.
Responding, the IGP directed police officers to engage armed criminals decisively whenever necessary, noting that Force Order 327 provides the legal backing for such actions. He also charged youths in the state to support security agencies through timely intelligence gathering, assuring that the police would tackle criminality irrespective of ethnicity or background.
“We will deal with criminals irrespective of their demography. Security is everyone’s responsibility, and intelligence sharing remains critical to ending these attacks,” he said.
Governor Alia, in his remarks, renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that it would complement the conventional policing system in addressing insecurity across the country.
The Tor Tiv also pledged support for strategies aimed at ending the killings and restoring peace in Benue State.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force and representatives of other security agencies.