Nigeria’s Police Chief Orders Streamlining of Tactical Units, Denies Total Disbandment

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has clarified that he has not ordered the complete disbandment of police tactical units, but has instead mandated a structured reduction and reorganisation across the country.

The statement from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) comes after media reports suggested that multiple tactical squads at state command levels had been dissolved. The NPF described these reports as misleading, emphasizing that the reform aims to improve operational efficiency, supervision, and public trust.

In a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer Anthony Okon Placid, the police explained that the IGP remains committed to strengthening tactical teams’ role in crime-fighting while addressing concerns over their unchecked proliferation.

“The IGP is aware of public concerns about the operations of police tactical teams and the creation of multiple units by Commissioners of Police and Heads of formations, which have sometimes generated backlash,” the statement read.

While tactical units are vital to policing, their excessive expansion has caused operational challenges, drained manpower from police divisions, and, in some cases, led to misconduct. To address these issues, the IGP has set limits on the number of tactical teams: a maximum of five at Zonal and State Command levels, and three at Area Command and Divisional levels. Teams can be merged or reduced at the discretion of the heads of formations.

The directive does not affect special units established by state governments, such as Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad and similar local outfits.

The police said the restructuring will allow redeployment of personnel to divisions and stations, strengthening grassroots policing and reducing public complaints associated with some tactical teams. The reform aligns with the IGP’s broader vision of building a more accountable and citizen-focused police force.

“Since emphasizing accountability and a people-friendly force in his first address to Nigerians, the IGP has taken this step to enhance supervision, strengthen Police Divisions, and remove causes of complaints against the Force,” the statement added.