The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed as misleading reports claiming that Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, ordered the disbandment of all police tactical units and squads across state commands nationwide.
The Force Headquarters clarified that the directive by the IGP was not a blanket dissolution of tactical teams, but a restructuring measure aimed at reducing their number, improving supervision and strengthening police divisions and stations.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, in a statement, said the widely circulated report misrepresented the Inspector-General’s directive by falsely suggesting that all tactical units had been disbanded.
According to the statement, the IGP acknowledged growing public concerns over the operations of tactical teams and the unchecked creation of multiple units by Commissioners of Police and heads of formations, a development the Force said has led to operational excesses and public backlash.
The police chief, who has served in several command positions across the country, was quoted as recognizing the critical role of tactical teams in crime-fighting, but expressing concern over their proliferation, which he said has depleted manpower at police divisions and posts while creating integrity issues due to poor supervision.
To address the problem, the IGP directed that tactical teams at the zonal and state command levels be reduced to a maximum of five, while those at the area command and divisional levels be limited to a maximum of three.
The Force said the directive could be implemented through the merging or disbandment of teams, depending on the discretion of heads of formations, and stressed that the order does not apply to state government-created security outfits such as Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Oyo State’s Special Response Squad (SRS), Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR and other similar outfits nationwide.
Police authorities said the move is expected to free up personnel for deployment to police stations and divisions, while also reducing complaints linked to the excesses of poorly supervised tactical teams.
The Force added that the directive aligns with the IGP’s commitment to accountability and people-friendly policing, noting that the restructuring is intended to improve oversight of existing teams, reinforce divisional policing and eliminate conditions that have fueled public distrust.
