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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a reduction in the number of tactical teams across police formations nationwide to improve oversight and address public complaints.
Under the directive, tactical teams at zonal and state command levels are to be capped at five, while area commands and divisions are limited to three.
In a statement, the Police spokesperson Anthony Placid, said the move followed concerns over the growing number of tactical units and alleged misconduct linked to inadequate supervision.
“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 explained that commands could meet the new limits by merging or disbanding existing teams at the discretion of their heads.
According to him, the adjustment is expected to freeup more personnel for deployment to police stations and divisions, many of which have faced manpower shortages.
Placid said the directive was intended to strengthen supervision, improve accountability, and reduce complaints from the public about the conduct of tactical teams.
He clarified that the order does not apply to state-backed security outfits such as the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, the Special Response Squad in Oyo, and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR.
“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 and reduce complaints about tactical team excesses,” he said.
The police also dismissed reports suggesting a total disbandment of tactical units, describing them as a misrepresentation of the directive.
Placid noted that while tactical teams remain vital in crime-fighting, their unchecked expansion has strained manpower and created supervision challenges within the force.
