IGP Orders Nationwide Firearms Audit After Viral Police Execution
Reported by Fasesan marian opeyemi | Editor-in-Chief at Sele Media Africa.
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of all police firearms following a viral video that showed a police officer executing a handcuffed suspect in broad daylight. The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the directive on Tuesday, stating that the audit aims to strengthen accountability, track weapon deployment, and curb misconduct within the ranks.
The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms on Monday, captured the moment a uniformed police officer shot a handcuffed man at close range. The suspect, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was reportedly in custody and restrained at the time of the killing. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria and drawn condemnation from human rights organisations, lawmakers, and citizens demanding justice.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the officer involved has been identified and placed under arrest. “The Inspector-General of Police has directed the Commissioner of Police in the state where the incident occurred to ensure a thorough investigation and that the officer faces the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
Nationwide Firearms Audit Ordered
In a separate directive issued on Tuesday, IGP Egbetokun ordered all police formations across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to conduct an immediate inventory and audit of all firearms and ammunition in their possession. The order applies to all units, including special forces, tactical squads, and police divisions.
The audit is expected to document the serial numbers, condition, and deployment history of every weapon issued to police personnel. The Force headquarters stated that the exercise would be completed within 14 days and that any discrepancies or missing weapons must be reported immediately.
“This audit is not a punitive measure but a necessary step to restore public confidence and ensure that every weapon issued to a police officer is accounted for and used strictly in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of firearms by police officers, including cases of extrajudicial killings, intimidation, and harassment of civilians. Human rights groups have long called for stricter oversight of police weaponry and better training on the use of force.
Public Outrage and Demands for Justice
The viral execution video has reignited public anger over police brutality in Nigeria, a issue that gained global attention during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The protests, which demanded the disbandment of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), exposed widespread abuses by police officers, including torture, extortion, and unlawful killings.
On social media, Nigerians have expressed shock and fury over the latest incident. Many have called for the prosecution of the officer involved and for systemic reforms within the Nigeria Police Force. The hashtag #JusticeForTheHandcuffedSuspect has trended on X (formerly Twitter), with users sharing the video and demanding accountability.
“This is murder, plain and simple. A handcuffed man executed in cold blood. The police must be held accountable, and the officer must face the consequences,” wrote human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong in a post on X.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also condemned the killing, calling for an independent investigation. In a statement, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau said, “The bar is watching. We demand that the police authorities ensure that justice is done in this case. The killing of a handcuffed suspect is a clear violation of the right to life, and those responsible must be prosecuted.”
A Institutional Reforms Under Scrutiny
The IGP’s order for a firearms audit is seen as a response to mounting pressure on the police leadership to demonstrate a commitment to reform. However, critics argue that such audits have been ordered in the past but have failed to produce meaningful change.
In 2020, following the #EndSARS protests, the police announced a series of reforms, including the establishment of a Special Investigation Panel to probe cases of police brutality and the creation of a complaints response unit. But human rights groups say implementation has been slow, and accountability remains elusive.
“We have seen these audits and investigations before. They often lead to little more than internal disciplinary actions, with officers quietly transferred or retired. What we need is independent oversight, prosecution in civilian courts, and genuine institutional reform,” said Amnesty International Nigeria Director Isa Sanusi.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also weighed in, calling for a transparent investigation into the latest killing. The commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said the NHRC would monitor the police investigation and ensure that the rights of the victim and his family are respected.
The Victim and the Circumstances
Details about the victim remain scarce. Police have not released his name, age, or the circumstances of his arrest. However, local reports suggest he was arrested on suspicion of theft and was being transported to a police station when the shooting occurred.
Eyewitness accounts, some of which have been shared on social media, allege that the officer shot the suspect after he attempted to escape. But the video evidence shows the suspect handcuffed and standing still at the time of the shooting, contradicting the escape claim.
The scene of the incident has not been officially confirmed, but reports indicate it occurred in a semi-urban area in southwestern Nigeria. The police have not disclosed the state or community where the killing took place, citing the need to avoid prejudicing the investigation.
Pan-African and Global Significance
The police execution scandal in Nigeria has resonated across Africa, where police brutality and extrajudicial killings remain persistent challenges in several countries. In Kenya, the police have faced accusations of executing suspects in custody, particularly during anti-terror operations. In South Africa, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has documented hundreds of deaths in police custody each year.
The incident also echoes similar cases in Ghana, where security forces have been accused of using excessive force, and in Uganda, where opposition figures have alleged that police routinely engage in unlawful killings.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, based in Banjul, The Gambia, has repeatedly called on member states to investigate and prosecute cases of extrajudicial executions. The commission’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals has urged Nigeria to ensure that the officer involved is held accountable.
Globally, the case has drawn attention from international human rights organisations and foreign governments. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for a transparent investigation, while the United States Department of State has expressed concern over the incident.
“The United States is deeply troubled by the video showing the execution of a handcuffed suspect by Nigerian police. We urge the Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and to hold those responsible accountable,” a State Department spokesperson said.
What Happens Next
The Nigeria Police Force has said that the officer involved will face disciplinary proceedings, including possible dismissal and criminal prosecution. The IGP has directed that the case be handled by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to ensure impartiality.
The firearms audit is expected to be completed within two weeks, with results to be submitted to the IGP’s office. The police have also announced plans to review training protocols on the use of force and to introduce body cameras for officers in high-risk units.
However, human rights groups remain sceptical. They argue that without independent oversight, legislative reform, and a culture of accountability within the police, such measures will not prevent future abuses.
“The Nigerian police have a long history of impunity. This audit is a step, but it is not a solution. The government must establish an independent police complaints commission with the power to investigate and prosecute officers. That is the only way to build trust between the police and the public,” said Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).
For the family of the slain suspect, the wait for justice continues. The Nigeria Police Force has promised to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.
Sources
- BBC News
- Channels Television
- Premium Times
- Statement by the Nigeria Police Force, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, May 5, 2026
- Amnesty International Nigeria
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
- United States Department of State