IGP Disu Disbands Police Tactical Units Nationwide, Orders Major Overhaul

IGP Disu Disbands Police Tactical Units Nationwide, Orders Major Overhaul

There is growing unease within the Nigeria Police Force following a sweeping directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dissolving multiplet tactical units across the country.

The order, conveyed through an internal wireless message after a virtual meeting with senior officers, mandates the immediate disbandment of several specialised squads operating at command, area command and divisional levels.

Units reportedly affected include the Rapid Response Squad, Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping teams, Scorpion Squad, Tactical Intelligence Response Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics, Monitoring Units, Tiger Squad and Anti-Robbery formations, among others.

According to the directive, all such units, regardless of their operational names, are to cease functioning in their current form. They are to be restructured into two new formations, with official names to be announced by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

“Following the IGP’s directives… all existing tactical teams at commands are being reformed into two, with operational names to be provided,” the internal message stated.

Pending the full rollout of the restructuring plan, only area commands and divisional surveillance units are permitted to operate on a temporary basis.

Personnel from the disbanded squads are to be redeployed into conventional policing duties, including patrol operations, guard assignments, the Divisional Crime Branch and the Juvenile and Women Centre.

“The dissolved teams are to be subsumed into patrol and guard, DCB, JWC and beat with immediate effect,” the directive added.

Although the police authorities did not officially state the reasons for the overhaul, the move comes amid persistent public complaints over the conduct of some tactical units, including allegations of human rights violations, extortion and abuse of power.

Further details of the reform are expected to be unveiled at the end-of-month Officers’ Conference scheduled for March 26, 2026.

The development also comes on the heels of efforts by the police leadership to address internal concerns over career progression. A separate directive recently approved a resit promotion examination and interactive session for senior officers who were unsuccessful in previous promotion cycles.

The exercise, coordinated in conjunction with the Police Service Commission, is aimed at giving affected officers another opportunity to advance in rank.

Sources within the force had earlier alleged irregularities in past promotion processes, including claims that some senior officers were sidelined, while others advanced through questionable means.

In response, the current police leadership is said to be pushing for greater transparency and fairness in the system.

As part of arrangements for the promotion exercise, commands nationwide have been directed to release eligible officers, while security and logistics have also been put in place to ensure a smooth and secure process.

Observers say the twin reforms signal a broader attempt by the police leadership to restore discipline, improve professionalism and rebuild public trust in the force.