The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned 1,068 retrained constables against professional recklessness, emphasizing that their uniform is tool for injustice.
Disu issued the warning in his keynote presentation on Thursday during the passing-out parade of retrained police constables at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, stressing that the era of impunity has ended.
He stated that any police found misusing a weapon or killing without legal basis would be fired or prosecuted.
“Impunity ends now. Any officer who misuses his weapon or 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,” he said.
The IGP emphasized that a skilled and disciplined officer is a true guardian of the people, while an unskilled officer poses a threat to the public.
He praised the Akwa Ibom Command for retraining female police officers in arms handling last year, stating that gender is not a barrier to competence.
He reminded officers that Force Order 237 remains in effect, emphasizing that guns should only be used as a last resort, proportionately, and strictly within the scope of the law.
The IGP also advised against extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, and the irresponsible use of guns, stating that any officer caught in violation of the order will face summary dismissal and criminal prosecution.
Discharged the newly retrained constables with carrying their firearms with pride but restraint, wearing their uniforms with dignity, and respecting residents.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, CP Baba Azare, revealed that the retrained personnel include a specially selected cohort for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, which was established in accordance with the IGP’s directive to serve as a strategic strike force against violent crimes across the state.
He highlighted the command’s important operational victories, including the successful evacuation of explosive devices from the Ikot Ekpene detention center and the inter-agency rescue of kidnapped victims along the Calabar-Oron waterways.
He underlined the command’s commitment to community policing and encouraged Akwa Ibom communities to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and credible information.
