Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned officers and men that the era of professional recklessness and impunity is over.
He reminded them that no badge gives them a licence to kill or a uniform a shield from justice.
The IGP stated this on Thursday while delivering a keynote address during the passing out of 1,068 retrained police constables at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
He said 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.
The IGP lauded the Akwa Ibom Command for pioneering the comprehensive retraining of female police officers in arms handling last year, adding that gender is not a barrier to competence.
He reminded officers that Force Order 237 remains binding, stressing that firearms should only be used as a last resort, proportionately, and strictly within the bounds of the law.
“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,” Disu said.
The IGP further warned against extortion, reporting to duty under the influence of alcohol, and reckless use of firearms.
Disu said that any officer caught violating the order would face summary dismissal and criminal prosecution.
The IGP charged the newly retrained constables to carry their weapons with pride but restraint, wear their uniforms with dignity, and treat citizens with respect.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, Baba Azare, disclosed that the retrained personnel included a specially selected cohort for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
Azare said they were created in line with the IGP’s directive to serve as a strategic strike force against violent crimes across the state.
Azare highlighted key operational successes recorded 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 seamless inter-agency collaboration.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to community policing, urging residents of Akwa Ibom to continue partnering with the police by providing timely and credible information.
