The Acting Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has directed an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all state commands, in a move aimed at strengthening accountability and preventing the misuse of police weapons.
The directive follows public outrage over a viral video showing officers shooting a restrained and handcuffed suspect at close range after a suspicious package was discovered.
In the aftermath of the incident, four officers of the Nigeria Police Force, led by Nuhu Usman, were dismissed from service, with their case files forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution.
Speaking during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu instructed Commissioners of Police nationwide to carry out a detailed and transparent inventory of arms and ammunition, with findings to be submitted to Force Headquarters within a specified timeframe.
He said, “I hereby direct all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective Commands. This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe.
“The objective is clear: to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of our operational needs. Let me emphasize that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed.”
Addressing the killing, the IGP described the act as unlawful and a breach of professional standards.
“That act was wrong. It was unlawful. It violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of this Force,” he said.
He confirmed that the officers involved have been dismissed and that the case has been transferred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for criminal proceedings.
“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he stated.
Beyond internal reforms, Disu also directed Commissioners of Police to strengthen community engagement by holding regular town hall meetings with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, and transport unions.
“These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organizations, listening to women’s groups, and transport unions, sharing information, and building genuine partnerships, ” he said.
To improve accessibility, he further ordered that Commissioners make their contact details readily available to community leaders.
“When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice,” he added.
The IGP also encouraged citizens to support security efforts by providing timely information.
“If you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act,” he said.
In a related development, Disu announced a restructuring of the police anti-crime framework with the creation of a new unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), which will replace the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams.
According to him, the VCRU represents a strategic shift in tackling serious crimes, with officers set to undergo specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement.
“Critically, civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning. These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence… and their operations will be subject to structured review,” he said.
He added that Commissioners of Police will retain full oversight of the unit within their respective states and directed that the VCRU be officially launched with public visibility and stakeholder participation.
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