Responding to concerns over complaints and supervision challenges, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cut the number of tactical teams in formations nationwide. The decision aims to improve oversight while ensuring officers are available for deployment to police stations and grassroots policing duties.
According to Force Public Relations Officer Anthony Placid, tactical teams at Zonal and State Command levels will now be limited to a maximum of five, while Area Commands and Divisions are restricted to three teams each. Heads of formations have the discretion to achieve the reduction through merging or disbanding units.
Placid emphasized that the directive does not apply to state-created units such as the Lagos Rapid Response Squad, Oyo Special Response Squad, Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR, or similar outfits across the country.
The IGP’s decision comes in response to public complaints over alleged excesses by poorly supervised tactical teams.
“The move strengthens supervision, enhances accountability, and ensures more officers are available for critical policing duties at the grassroots level”, Placid said.
The clarification also addresses recent media reports suggesting the nationwide dissolution of tactical units, which the Force described as inaccurate. The directive focuses on reducing and better managing tactical teams, not eliminating them, while maintaining their important role in crime-fighting operations.
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