Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed all state Commissioners of Police to immediately disarm militias in the various states they are in charge of.
Idris gave the directive on Thursday at a meeting with Commissioners of Police and officers.
He warned state governments against arming militias to protect citizens of their states, saying no law in the land empowers them to do such.
He said the Nigerian constitution made it clear that only the security agencies were responsible for carrying arms and ammunition, vowing that those who violate the law in whatever guise would be dealt with accordingly.
However, the police boss was silent on whether the same applies to herdsmen, who have been not only been accused of carrying sophisticated weapons but also being responsible for killings across the country.
