Police Reform Clarification: Disu Denies Dissolution of Tactical Units

Recent reports suggesting that Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered the dissolution of police tactical units have sparked widespread concern and debate. However, official statements from the Nigeria Police Force have clarified that these claims are inaccurate and stem from a misinterpretation of an internal reform directive.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, media reports alleging a blanket disbandment of tactical units are “misleading” and do not reflect the intent of the Inspector-General’s directive. Rather than dismantling these units, the policy introduces a structured limitation on their number across various command levels.
This clarification is crucial, as tactical units—often deployed for high-risk operations such as armed robbery response, anti-kidnapping efforts, and rapid intervention—remain a vital component of Nigeria’s internal security framework.

The directive issued by Nigeria Police Force focuses on rationalisation rather than elimination. Specifically:
State and Zonal Commands are now limited to a maximum of five tactical teams.

Commands exceeding these limits are expected to reorganise by merging or redistributing personnel, rather than outright dissolving operational capacity.
The restructuring initiative is part of a broader effort to address systemic inefficiencies within the police force. Key motivations include:
>Over-Proliferation of Tactical Units
Over time, the number of tactical teams expanded significantly, often without proportional oversight. This growth created challenges in coordination, accountability, and operational effectiveness.
> Imbalance in Personnel Distribution
A concentration of officers within specialised units led to manpower shortages at conventional police stations. The reform aims to redirect personnel to strengthen community-level policing and improve routine law enforcement presence.
>Public Accountability and Trust
Certain tactical units have faced allegations of misconduct and abuse in the past. By reducing and better supervising these teams, the police leadership seeks to enhance discipline, transparency, and public confidence.

Importantly, the policy does not affect state-supported or specialised units operating under distinct administrative arrangements, such as regional rapid response squads. These entities continue to function independently of the restructuring framework.

The clarification underscores a critical distinction between reform and removal. Rather than weakening operational capacity, the directive is designed to streamline it—ensuring that tactical units are more effectively managed while reinforcing the foundational layers of policing.
If implemented as intended, the policy could lead to improved service delivery, better resource allocation, and a more balanced policing structure across Nigeria.

The controversy surrounding the alleged dissolution of tactical units highlights the importance of clear communication in public policy. While initial reports raised alarm, official clarification confirms that the Inspector-General’s directive is a measured reform effort aimed at efficiency, accountability, and improved public service—not a dismantling of critical security infrastructure.