The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, did not order the complete disbandment of tactical units across the country, contrary to widespread reports.
In a statement issued by Force spokesperson Anthony Placid, the police described such reports as misleading, noting that the directive was wrongly interpreted by some media outlets.
According to the statement, the IGP only ordered a reduction in the number of tactical teams, not their outright dissolution. The move, the police said, is aimed at addressing concerns about the excesses and poor supervision of some units, while still maintaining their role in crime-fighting.
Under the new directive, tactical teams at the zonal and state command levels are to be limited to a maximum of five, while those at area commands and divisions are capped at three.
The police explained that this restructuring may involve merging or scrapping some units at the discretion of command heads, but it does not mean all tactical teams have been disbanded.
The force also clarified that the directive does not affect state-backed security outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, Oyo State’s Special Response Squad, and other similar units.
According to the police, the reduction is expected to free up personnel for deployment to police stations, thereby strengthening grassroots policing and improving service delivery to the public.
