The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern warning to 1,068 retrained police constables, urging them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Speaking at the passing-out parade of these officers at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Disu emphasized that wearing the police uniform does not place anyone above the law.
In his keynote address on Thursday, the IGP declared that the era of impunity within the police force is over.
He said any officer caught misusing a weapon or killing without lawful justification would be dismissed or prosecuted.
“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 license to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice,” he said.
The IGP noted 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.
He commended the Akwa Ibom Command for pioneering the comprehensive retraining of female police officers in arms handling last year, noting 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.
The IGP further warned against extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, and the reckless use of firearms, adding that any officer found violating the order would face summary dismissal and criminal prosecution.
Disu charged the newly retrained constables to carry their weapons with pride but restraint, wear their uniforms with dignity, and treat citizens with respect.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, CP Baba Azare, disclosed that the retrained personnel include a specially selected cohort for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, created in line with the IGP’s directive to serve as a strategic strike force against violent crimes across the state.
He 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 inter-agency collaboration.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to community policing and urged residents of Akwa Ibom to continue partnering with the police by providing timely and credible information.
