IGP DISU DEBUNKS REPORT OF DISBANDING POLICE UNITS NATIONWIDE

The Inspector General of Police, OLATUNJI DISU, has dismissed reports suggesting that police units and squads across the country have been disbanded.

In a statement issued by Force spokesperson ANTHONY PLACID, the police chief described the circulating claims as inaccurate and misleading, stressing that the directive in question does not involve scrapping units but rather streamlining the number of tactical teams to improve efficiency and oversight. 

He stated that under the new guideline, commands at the zonal and state levels are limited to a maximum of five tactical teams, while area commands and divisions are restricted to three, a decision, he said was driven by concerns over the unchecked growth of such teams, which has led to overlapping responsibilities, reduced manpower at police stations, and public complaints linked to poorly supervised operations.

While acknowledging the important role tactical units play in combating crime, the IGP noted that their excessive proliferation has created operational and accountability challenges within the Force and to address this, commanders have been given the flexibility to either merge or disband teams in order to meet the new limits.

The clarification also emphasized that the directive does not apply to special security outfits established by state governments, such as those operating in Lagos, Oyo, and Bayelsa.