Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has clarified that he has not ordered the outright disbandment of all police tactical units across the country, but instead directed a structured reduction and reorganisation of such teams.
The clarification was issued by the Nigeria Police Force following media reports suggesting that the IGP had dissolved multiple tactical squads operating at state command levels.
Okay News reports that the police described the reports as a misrepresentation of the Inspector-General’s directive, noting that the reform is aimed at improving operational efficiency and public trust.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, the police said the IGP remains committed to strengthening the role of tactical teams in crime-fighting, while addressing concerns about their proliferation and oversight.
The statement explained: “The IGP…is aware of public concerns about police tactical teams’ operations and the creation of multiple teams by Commissioners of Police and Heads of formations, with attendant backlash.”
It added that while tactical units play a critical role in policing, their unchecked expansion has created operational challenges.
“He is however uncomfortable with their proliferation, which drains Police Divisions and Posts of required manpower and brings issues that affect the Force’s integrity because of the excesses of the poorly supervised teams.”
To address these concerns, the IGP has directed a cap on the number of tactical teams at various command levels nationwide.
“The IGP directed the reduction of the tactical teams at Zonal and State Command levels to a maximum of five, and Area Command and Divisional levels to a maximum of three. This can be achieved by merging or disbanding teams, at the Heads of formations’ discretion.”
The police clarified that the directive does not apply to special units established by state governments, such as Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad and similar outfits in other parts of the country.
According to the Force, the restructuring is expected to redeploy personnel to police stations and divisions, thereby strengthening grassroots policing and reducing complaints linked to the conduct of some tactical units.
The statement also noted that the reform aligns with the Inspector-General’s broader vision of building a more accountable and citizen-focused police force.
“Having emphasized accountability and a people-friendly Force in his maiden address to Nigerians, the IGP took this step to enhance supervision of existing teams, strengthen Police Divisions, and remove causes of complaints against the Force by members of the public.”
