IGP Disu Clarifies Order on Tactical Units, Denies Nationwide Disbandment

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has clarified reports suggesting that all police units and squads across state commands have been disbanded, describing the claims as misleading.

In a statement issued by Police Spokesperson Anthony Placid, the Inspector General dismissed the reports making the rounds as a misrepresentation of his directive.

According to the clarification, the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP did not order a total disbandment of tactical units nationwide. Rather, the directive focused on restructuring and reducing the number of tactical teams to improve efficiency and supervision.

The IGP explained that tactical teams at the zonal and state command levels are to be limited to a maximum of five, while those at the area command and divisional levels are to be capped at three. He noted that this measure is intended to curb the proliferation and duplication of such units across commands.

He further stated that the move is aimed at addressing concerns raised by the public over the operations of multiple tactical teams created by various command heads, which in some cases had led to complaints about excesses and lack of proper supervision.

The statement emphasized that while tactical teams remain important to policing and crime control, their unchecked expansion had begun to affect manpower distribution within divisions and police posts.

The directive allows heads of formations the discretion to either merge or disband excess teams in order to comply with the new structure. It also clarified that the order does not apply to state government-created security outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, Operation DOO-AKPOR in Bayelsa, and similar agencies in other states.

The IGP expressed confidence that the reform would help redeploy personnel to police stations, strengthen supervision, reduce public complaints, and improve accountability within the Force.

He reiterated his commitment to building a more people-friendly police force, noting that the restructuring aligns with his broader objective of enhancing operational efficiency and restoring public trust.