Restructuring: Police clarify IGP directive, deny disbandment of tactical units

The Nigeria Police Force has refuted reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police, , ordered the outright disbandment of all tactical units across state commands nationwide.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, , the police described such reports as a misrepresentation of the IGP’s directive.

According to the statement, some media outlets had reported that the IGP directed the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units, a claim the force insisted was inaccurate.

“The attention of the Inspector-General of Police has been drawn to the above-captioned story recently circulated by some online media outlets.

“The publication stated that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, directed the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units operating across state commands nationwide. This report is a misrepresentation of the IGP’s directives,” the statement read in part.

The police explained that while the IGP acknowledges public concerns over the conduct of some tactical teams, he also recognises their critical contributions to crime-fighting efforts across the country.

The statement noted that the proliferation of such units had, however, posed challenges, including the depletion of manpower at police divisions and concerns over accountability due to poor supervision in some cases.

To address these issues, the IGP has directed a restructuring rather than a total disbandment. Under the new arrangement, tactical teams at the Zonal and State Command levels are to be reduced to a maximum of five, while those at Area Command and Divisional levels are to be limited to three.

The police said this restructuring may involve the merging or selective disbandment of existing units, depending on the discretion of heads of formations.

It further clarified that the directive does not affect state-created security outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos, Oyo State’s Special Response Squad (SRS), and Bayelsa State’s Operation DOO-AKPOR, as well as similar units across the country.

According to the force, the move is aimed at freeing up personnel for redeployment to police stations, thereby strengthening grassroots policing and addressing longstanding public concerns over the excesses of some tactical units.

The police reiterated their commitment to improving operational efficiency, accountability, and public trust through the ongoing reforms.