By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, ordered the disbandment of all police units and squads across state commands.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Force said the report circulating in some online media outlets was a misrepresentation of the IGP’s directive.
According to the police, Disu did not order a blanket dissolution of tactical units but instead directed a reduction in their number to enhance efficiency, supervision and accountability.
The statement explained that the IGP expressed concern over the proliferation of tactical teams across formations, noting that the trend has drained manpower from police divisions and contributed to operational excesses due to poor supervision.
To address the issue, Disu directed that tactical teams at zonal and state command levels be limited to a maximum of five, while those at area command and divisional levels should not exceed three.
The Force noted that the directive allows for flexibility, as existing units may be merged or disbanded at the discretion of heads of formations to meet the new limits.
It added that the directive does not apply to state government-backed security outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, the Special Response Squad in Oyo, and other similar initiatives across the country.
The police said the move is expected to free up personnel for deployment to police stations, thereby strengthening grassroots policing and reducing public complaints about the conduct of tactical teams.
The Force further stated that the directive aligns with the IGP’s commitment to promoting accountability and building a more people-friendly police system.
It reiterated that the restructuring is aimed at improving operational effectiveness and restoring public confidence in the Force.
