The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports claiming that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, ordered the disbandment of all police units and squads at state commands, describing the publication as a misrepresentation of his directive.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said the reports was a misrepresentation of the IGP’s directive.
According to the statement, the IGP, described as a grassroots officer with a broad network across Nigerian society, is aware of public concerns regarding the operations of police tactical teams, as well as the creation of multiple teams by Commissioners of Police and heads of formations, which have attracted backlash.
The statement explained that Disu, having held command positions across the country and witnessed tactical teams in action, recognises their contributions to crime-fighting but is concerned about their proliferation.
It clarified that to address these concerns, the IGP directed a reduction in the number of tactical teams.
The statement specified that tactical teams at the Zonal and State Command levels are to be reduced to a maximum of five, while those at the Area Command and Divisional levels are to be limited to a maximum of three.
It added that this directive can be implemented through the merging or disbandment of teams at the discretion of heads of formations.
The police further clarified that the directive does not apply to state government-created outfits such as Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad, Oyo State’s Special Response Squad (SRS), and Bayelsa State’s Operation DOO-AKPOR, as well as similar outfits across the country.
The IGP, according to the statement, expects that the move will free up personnel for deployment to police stations, thereby reducing complaints about the excesses of tactical teams.
The statement also noted that, having emphasised accountability and a people-friendly police force in his maiden address to Nigerians, Disu took the step to enhance supervision of existing teams, strengthen police divisions, and address the root causes of public complaints against the Force.
