Oshiomhole Backs ‘Shoot Armed Criminals on Sight’, Says Insecurity Biggest Threat to Tinubu’s Re-election

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has criticised Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu over what he described as an apologetic stance on the use of force against armed criminals, insisting that security operatives should not hesitate to neutralise criminals who pose an immediate threat.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Monday, the Edo North senator said police officers should decisively confront armed criminals in line with their constitutional duty to protect lives and property.

“That’s why when this IG was saying he didn’t say ‘shoot at sight,’ why is he apologetic? If you see a criminal, shoot on sight,” Oshiomhole said.

His comments come after the Nigeria Police Force clarified that the Inspector-General did not issue a blanket “shoot-on-sight” directive. According to the Force, Disu was referring to the provisions of Force Order 237, which outlines the legal and operational circumstances under which police officers may use firearms in accordance with established Rules of Engagement.

Oshiomhole also commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for appealing a court judgment that sentenced certain convicted offenders to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.

“I have said that judges should implement the law, not their personal sentiment. I’m also happy that the DSS is doing its job. They have appealed the judgment where people who should have been condemned to death were given life imprisonment,” he said.

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Turning to national politics, the former Edo State governor identified insecurity as the greatest challenge facing President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next general election, urging the President to hold security chiefs accountable for delivering measurable improvements.

“I would tell him to do everything he can to direct the armed forces to ensure that the service chiefs understand that they have a duty to terminate insecurity within the next few months,” he said.

Oshiomhole stressed that the government must establish clear performance benchmarks for the military and other security agencies.

“There has to be a benchmark to measure what we give them and the results that we get, and whether it’s commensurate. It is better he beats down their necks than anything else,” he added.

The senator argued that President Tinubu had already implemented key macroeconomic reforms, maintaining that insecurity remained the administration’s primary obstacle.

“The President has put all the necessary macroeconomic tools in place. The only limiting factor is this insecurity. Nigerians want to see consistent and deliberate effort,” he said.

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He cited the recruitment of 20,000 additional military personnel and the establishment of new Army divisions as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

According to him, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Air Force and the Army have all intensified their operations in response to the country’s security challenges.

Responding to criticism that Tinubu has not been sufficiently visible in office, Oshiomhole dismissed the claim, arguing that the President has consistently engaged with the public through official meetings, policy announcements and national engagements.

“I don’t understand what is meant by visibility. I see the President addressing various forums, presiding over meetings and commenting on issues affecting the Nigerian political economy and society,” he said.

On opposition criticism of the administration, Oshiomhole described robust political contestation as an essential feature of democracy, saying the ruling party also had the right to defend its record.

“There is nothing the President is going to say that the opposition will not fault. That is the legitimate business of the opposition. If they cast a stone, we have a right to return that stone. The day the opposition joins in praising the President, then that is the end of democracy,” he said.

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He expressed confidence that Nigerians would make informed choices in the next election despite competing political narratives.

Reflecting on the 2023 presidential election, Oshiomhole attributed the rise of Labour Party candidate Peter Obi to widespread public frustration during the final years of the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Last time they voted in anger. That is why I brought up the issue of the former president. I’m not blaming him, he’s no more. May his soul rest in peace. But that situation is what produced Obi,” he said.