The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared an end to professional recklessness and impunity within the Nigeria Police Force, warning that officers who violate operational standards will face strict disciplinary and legal consequences.
Disu made the statement on Thursday in Uyo during the passing-out ceremony of 1,068 retrained constables at the Police Mobile Force Base 26.
Addressing the officers, the IGP described the retraining programme as more than a routine exercise, calling it a defining moment in the Force’s ongoing reform efforts. He stressed that while an untrained officer carrying a firearm poses a threat to public safety, a well-trained and disciplined officer serves as a protector of the people.
He commended the Akwa Ibom State Command for its initiative in retraining female officers in arms handling, noting that competence in policing is not determined by gender.
Reaffirming adherence to Force Order 237, Disu emphasised that the use of firearms must remain a last resort, applied proportionately and strictly within legal limits.
Referencing his nationwide address of April 29, 2026, the IGP reiterated a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct. “Impunity ends now. Any officer who misuses his weapon or unlawfully takes a life will be dismissed and prosecuted—not transferred or redeployed. No badge is a license to kill, and no uniform is a shield from justice,” he said.
He also cautioned officers against extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, and the reckless handling of firearms, warning that offenders would face immediate dismissal and possible prosecution.
Disu urged the newly retrained personnel to demonstrate professionalism in the field, stressing that their true test begins upon deployment.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed that some of the retrained officers had been selected for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a specialised team designed 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 successful rescue of kidnapped victims along the Calabar–Oron waterways through inter-agency collaboration.
The event was attended by senior police officials and dignitaries, including retired Deputy Inspector-General Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi and several Assistant Inspectors-General of Police.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to community policing and called on residents of Akwa Ibom State to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information. It also assured the public that mechanisms for reporting misconduct remain active and that all complaints will be thoroughly investigated.
