The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rejected reports that the new inspector-general of police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered the disbandment of all police units and tactical squads in state commands across Nigeria.
A report on Sunday surfaced claiming that the IGP handed out the directive for the disbandment of all police units and tactical squads during a virtual meeting with senior police officers.
But, in a statement, spokesperson of the NPF, Anthony Placid, noted that the report is a “misrepresentation” of the directive of the news Inspector General of Police.
Placid said the IGP is not unaware of the public concerns about the operations of police tactical squads and the creation of multiple teams by commissioners of police and heads of formations.
The force spokesperson said IGP Disu understands that the proliferation of police units and tactical squads “drains” police divisions of required manpower.
He stated that because of the concerns, the IGP directed the reduction of the tactical teams at zonal levels and state commands to a maximum of five and area command and divisional levels to a maximum of three.
Placid informed that the IGP’s directive does not include outfits created by the state government, inclusive of the Lagos rapid response squad (RRS).
“To address these issues, 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,” reads the statement.
“This can be achieved by merging or disbanding teams, at the Heads of formations’ discretion.
“The teams referred to exclude state government-created outfits like Lagos’ Rapid Response Squad, Oyo’s SRS, and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR and other similar outfits across the country.
“The IGP expects this move to free personnel for Police Stations, reducing complaints about tactical team excesses.
“Having emphasized accountability and a people-friendly Force in his maiden address to Nigerians, the IGP took this step to enhance supervision of existing teams, strengthen Police Divisions, and remove causes of complaints against the Force by members of the public.”
