The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered an immediate nationwide audit of arms and ammunition across all state commands.
The move followed public outrage over a viral video showing officers shooting a restrained and handcuffed man at close range.
The directive came after four officers, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman, were dismissed from service over the incident.
Their case files have been transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for possible criminal prosecution.
Speaking during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja on Tuesday, Disu mandated all Commissioners of Police to conduct a comprehensive and transparent stocktaking exercise, with detailed reports to be submitted to the Force Headquarters within a stipulated timeframe.
He described the extra-judicial killing as unlawful and a violation of professional standards, insisting that the matter would not be swept aside and that accountability would be pursued to its full conclusion.
The IGP also directed commissioners to convene regular town hall meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth and women groups, and transport unions.
He ordered that commissioners make their contact details available to community leaders to improve accessibility, stating that an open line to the police is what community policing looks like in practice.
Disu urged citizens to volunteer information to security agencies, adding that the police were listening and would act.
In a related development, the IGP announced the restructuring of the police anti-crime architecture with the creation of a new formation, the Violent Crime Response Unit, which will replace the Special Weapons and Tactics units.
The VCRU will focus on tackling serious crimes through specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement.
Civilian oversight has been built into the unit’s operational framework from the outset, and commissioners of police will retain full command and accountability for the unit in their respective states.
The VCRU is expected to be formally launched with public visibility and stakeholder participation.
