Oshiomhole supports taking out gun-wielding offenders instantly

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has taken issue with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for showing remorse over the shooting of criminals, arguing that security personnel should not hesitate to use force against armed individuals.

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Oshiomhole made these comments during an interview with TVC News on Monday, stating "That's why when this IG was saying he didn’t say 'shoot at sight,' Why is he apologetic? Shoot at sight. If you see a criminal, shoot on sight."

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The Nigeria Police Force recently clarified that the IGP did not issue a "shoot-on-sight" order, instead referencing Force Order 237, which outlines the conditions under which police officers can use firearms.

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According to the police, Disu informed stakeholders that officers had been briefed on the provisions of the order and understood the circumstances under which firearms could be deployed in line with established Rules of Engagement.

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Oshiomhole commended the Department of State Services for appealing a court judgment that sentenced convicted offenders to life imprisonment instead of death, saying "I have said that judges should implement the law, not their personal sentiment."

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He expressed appreciation for the DSS's actions, stating "They have appealed the judgment where people who should have been condemned to death were given life imprisonment."

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When asked about the President's biggest political risk ahead of next year's election, Oshiomhole cited insecurity as the primary obstacle to Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, urging the President to set a firm deadline for the service chiefs to address the issue.

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Oshiomhole advised the President to direct the armed forces to ensure that the service chiefs understand their duty to terminate insecurity within the next few months, saying "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."

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He emphasized the need for accountability, stating "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."

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Oshiomhole noted that Tinubu has implemented the necessary macroeconomic tools, but insecurity remains the only limiting factor, saying "The president has put all the necessary macroeconomic tools in place. The only limiting factor is this insecurity."

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The former Edo State governor acknowledged that insecurity cannot be resolved overnight, but emphasized the need for consistent effort, stating "And unfortunately, again, it’s an issue that has reached a certain stage that you cannot terminate overnight. But Nigerians want to see consistent, deliberate effort."

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Oshiomhole pointed to the ongoing recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel into the armed forces and the creation of new army divisions as evidence of the President's commitment to changing Nigeria's security architecture.

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He said, "So I think on all fronts, the war is being waged. The DSS is working. We are beginning to see the Air Force more engaged. The Army—we have created more divisions which reflects the fact that the president believes that we can’t continue to do the same thing the same old way."

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Oshiomhole dismissed claims that Tinubu has not been visible enough in office, saying "I see the president addressing various forums. I see him receiving and presiding over meetings. I see him commenting on a wide range of issues that have to do with the Nigerian political economy and society."

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He acknowledged the opposition's right to criticize the administration, but warned that the ruling party would respond in kind, stating "There is nothing the president is going to say that the opposition will not fault. That is the legitimate business of the opposition."

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Oshiomhole noted that democracy thrives on contestation, adding that Nigerian voters will act rationally in the next election despite attempts to confuse them, saying "Democracy thrives on debate, on contestation. And it is legitimate for actors to try to confuse the voters. But I think the voters are wiser. They will vote rationally."

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Oshiomhole linked the emergence of Peter Obi as a political force to public anger during the last election cycle, which he attributed to the tenure of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, stating "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."