by Ibrahim Bunu
The concerns raised in this open letter deserve careful consideration by both the Nigeria Police Force and policymakers because they address a genuine challenge facing many parts of the country: how to balance effective law enforcement with the protection of innocent citizens.
No reasonable Nigerian disputes the need for the police to confront terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers, and violent criminals with determination. These criminal groups have inflicted enormous suffering on communities, displaced thousands of families, and undermined national security. The Nigeria Police Force must be empowered to respond decisively where lives are under immediate threat.
However, the effectiveness of any security policy depends not only on its intention but also on how it is implemented.
Across many rural communities, particularly those repeatedly attacked by bandits and terrorists, local vigilante groups have emerged because conventional security agencies cannot maintain a continuous presence in every village. In many cases, these community groups work alongside the police, the military, civil defence, and traditional institutions by providing intelligence, early warning, and first-response capabilities until security forces arrive.
This reality creates a difficult operational environment. Many vigilantes possess traditional or locally manufactured Dane guns that may not bear serial numbers or satisfy modern licensing requirements. An officer encountering such a weapon during patrol or an operation could mistakenly conclude that the individual is an armed criminal.
Such mistakes could have tragic consequences.
For this reason, Police Order 237 should be applied in a manner consistent with the principles of necessity, proportionality, and accountability. The use of lethal force should remain limited to situations where there is an imminent threat to life or serious injury, or where an armed suspect poses an immediate danger that cannot reasonably be contained by less-lethal means.
This approach protects both police officers and civilians. It also strengthens public confidence in law enforcement, encourages communities to cooperate with security agencies, and reduces the risk of avoidable casualties during legitimate security operations.
At the same time, community protection groups should not operate outside the law. Governments at the federal and state levels should work toward a structured system for registering, identifying, training, and supervising recognized vigilante organizations. Standard identification cards, uniforms where appropriate, and clear communication channels with local police commands would make it easier for officers to distinguish legitimate community defenders from criminal elements attempting to disguise themselves.
Such reforms would improve intelligence sharing, reduce misunderstandings, and enhance accountability on all sides.
Furthermore, Police Order 237 should continue to be enforced robustly against heavily armed criminal groups operating in forests, bandit camps, terrorist enclaves, kidnapping hideouts, and other locations where suspects openly wage violence against the Nigerian state. In such environments, officers often face immediate threats that may justify the use of force in accordance with the law and established operational procedures.
Ultimately, security and human rights are complementary rather than contradictory. Citizens are more likely to support law enforcement when they believe officers exercise their powers fairly, professionally, and within constitutional limits. Likewise, police officers perform more effectively when they enjoy the trust, cooperation, and intelligence support of the communities they serve.
The author’s appeal is therefore not a call to weaken policing or shield criminals from justice. Rather, it is a constructive request for clarity in implementation, ensuring that Police Order 237 targets violent offenders while minimizing the risk of harm to innocent citizens and recognized community security volunteers.
A safer Nigeria requires both firm action against crime and unwavering respect for the rule of law. Achieving that balance will strengthen national security, enhance public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force, and reinforce the constitutional values that bind the nation together.
By Ibrahim Bunu
ibrahimbunu2520@gmail.com
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