…The Police Public Relations Officer, explained that the move followed concerns about the growing number of tactical units and alleged misconduct by inadequately supervised teams.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a reduction in the number of tactical teams across police formations nationwide to improve supervision and respond to public complaints.
Under the directive, zonal and state commands are to maintain no more than five tactical teams each, while area commands and divisions are limited to a maximum of three teams.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, explaining that the move followed concerns about the growing number of tactical units and alleged misconduct by inadequately supervised teams.
He noted that the reduction could be implemented through the merging or disbandment of teams, depending on decisions taken by heads of formations.
Placid added that the measure is expected to release more personnel for deployment to police stations and divisions currently facing manpower shortages due to the expansion of tactical units.
He clarified that the directive does not apply to state government-established outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad, Special Response Squad, and Operation DOO-AKPOR, as well as similar units nationwide.
According to him, the decision is aimed at strengthening supervision, improving accountability, reducing complaints against tactical teams, and enhancing grassroots policing.
He reiterated that the Inspector General had earlier emphasised accountability and a people-friendly police force, and that the directive is part of efforts to reinforce those goals.
The clarification follows a media report that claimed the police chief ordered the immediate dissolution of tactical units across state commands, which the Force described as a misrepresentation.
Placid stressed that the directive only mandates a reduction in the number of teams, not their outright disbandment, noting that while tactical units remain vital in crime-fighting, their proliferation has strained manpower at police divisions and created supervision challenges affecting the Force’s integrity.
