The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, warned 1,068 retrained constables against professional misconduct, stressing that wearing the police uniform does not place officers above the law.
Disu gave the warning during his keynote address at the passing-out parade of retrained police constables at the Police Mobile Force Base, 26 PMF, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, declaring that the era of impunity within the Force is over.
He said any officer found misusing a firearm or engaging in unlawful killings would face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
“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 licence to kill. No uniform is a shield from justice,” he said.
The IGP emphasised that an untrained or undisciplined officer with a weapon poses a serious risk to public safety, while a well-trained and disciplined officer remains a true protector of the people.
He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for pioneering the retraining of female officers in arms handling, noting that competence in policing is not determined by gender.
Disu reminded officers that Force Order 237 remains in effect, stressing that firearms must only be used as a last resort, in proportion to the threat, and strictly within the confines of the law.
He further cautioned against acts such as extortion, reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol, and reckless handling of firearms, warning that any violation would attract summary dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.
The police chief urged the retrained officers to carry their weapons with restraint, uphold professionalism, and treat members of the public with dignity and respect.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Baba Azare, disclosed that the retrained officers include a specialised group selected for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, designed as a rapid-response force against violent crimes in the state.
He highlighted key achievements of 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 coordinated efforts with other security agencies.
Azare reaffirmed the command’s commitment to community policing and called on residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
