The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned 1,068 retrained constables to avoid professional misconduct, saying the police uniform does not shield officers from accountability.
Disu spoke Thursday at the passing-out parade of retrained constables at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, declaring that “the era of impunity is over.”
He said any officer who misuses a firearm or kills without lawful justification will be dismissed and 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,” Disu said. “No badge is a license to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice.”
The police chief said unskilled officers with weapons pose a danger to the public, while disciplined officers serve as true guardians of the people.
He commended the Akwa Ibom Police Command for retraining female officers in arms handling, noting that gender is not a barrier to competence.
Disu reiterated that Force Order 237 remains in effect, emphasizing that firearms must be used only as a last resort, proportionately and within the law.
He also warned against extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol and reckless use of firearms, saying violators will face summary dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.
Disu urged the retrained officers to carry their weapons responsibly, wear their uniforms with dignity and treat citizens with respect.
Earlier, Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police Baba Azare said the retrained officers include personnel selected for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, created to serve as a strategic force against violent crime in the state.
Azare cited operational successes, including the safe evacuation of explosive devices at the Ikot Ekpene custodial center 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 to continue providing timely and credible information to authorities.
