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The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all state commands as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and prevent misuse of operational assets.
This is coming after a viral video showed officers shooting a restrained and handcuffed man at close range after a suspicious package was found.
Following the outcry over the video, four Nigerian police officers, led by ASP Nuhu Usman, were dismissed from service, and their case files were transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Speaking during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu mandated Commissioners of Police to conduct a comprehensive, transparent and properly documented stocktaking exercise, with detailed reports to be submitted to the Force Headquarters within a stipulated 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.”
Speaking on the extra-judicial killing, the IG described the incident as unlawful and a violation 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 disclosed that the officer involved and members of his team had been dismissed, while the case file had been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for criminal prosecution.
“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he stated.
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police to convene 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.
As part of efforts to boost accessibility, the IGP ordered that Commissioners make their contact details available to community leaders within their states.
“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.
Disu urged citizens to volunteer information to security agencies.
“If you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act,” he said.
In a related development, Disu also announced the restructuring of the police anti-crime architecture with the creation of a new formation, the Violent Crime Response Unit, to replace the Special Weapons and Tactics units.
According to the IG, the VCRU represents a fundamental shift in tackling serious crimes, with officers undergoing 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 noted that Commissioners of Police would retain full command and accountability for the unit in their respective states and directed that the VCRU be formally launched with public visibility and stakeholder participation.
