The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu has ordered a reduction in tactical teams across police formations nationwide in a bid to strengthen supervision and address public complaints.
Under the directive, zonal and state commands will be limited to a maximum of five tactical teams, while area commands and divisions may operate no more than three.
Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, confirmed the move in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
Placid explained that the decision followed talks over the proliferation of tactical units and alleged excesses by poorly supervised teams.
According to him, the reduction will be achieved through merging or disbanding teams at the discretion of heads of formations.
The measure is expected to free up personnel for deployment to police stations and divisions, many of which have suffered manpower shortages due to the growing number of tactical units.
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Placid clarified that the directive does not affect state government-created outfits such as Lagos’ Rapid Response Squad, Oyo’s Special Response Squad and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR.
“The IGP directed the reduction of the tactical teams at zonal and state command levels to a maximum of five, and area command and divisional levels to a maximum of three. This can be achieved by merging or disbanding teams, at the heads of formations’ discretion,” the statement read.
He added that the move was aimed at improving accountability, reducing complaints against tactical teams and boosting grassroots policing.
The clarification comes after reports claimed the IGP had ordered the dissolution of tactical units nationwide, which the Force described as a misrepresentation.
While acknowledging the contribution of tactical units to crime-fighting, the police chief stressed that their proliferation drains manpower from divisions and creates supervision challenges that undermine the integrity of the Force.