Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has said that the the publications online stated that he directed the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units operating across state commands nationwide is false and misleading.
In a state by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the IGP said the publications are misrepresentation of his directives.
The FPRO said that the IGP, a grassroots officer with a profound network across Nigerian society, is aware of public concerns about police tactical teams’ operations and the creation of multiple teams by Commissioners of Police and Heads of formations, with attendant backlash.
Having held command positions nationwide and witnessed tactical teams in action, the IGP values their contribution to crime-fighting. He is however uncomfortable with their proliferation, which drains Police Divisions and Posts of required manpower and brings issues that affect the Force’s integrity because of the excesses of the poorly supervised teams.
Placid said that 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.
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.
He said that 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.
