The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed the reduction of tactical teams across police formations nationwide as part of efforts to enhance supervision and address public complaints.
The directive limits tactical teams at zonal and state command levels to a maximum of five, while area commands and divisions are restricted to a maximum of three teams.
Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday, noting that the decision followed concerns over the proliferation of tactical units and alleged excesses by poorly supervised teams.
According to him, the reduction could be achieved through the merging or disbandment of teams at the discretion of heads of formations.
The police spokesperson explained that the move was expected to free up personnel for deployment to police stations and divisions which have experienced manpower shortages due to the increasing number of tactical teams.
“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 added that the directive did not affect state government-created outfits such as Lagos Rapid Response Squad, Oyo Special Response Squad and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR, as well as similar units across the country.
“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 Force said the decision was aimed at strengthening supervision, improving accountability and reducing complaints against tactical teams while boosting policing at the grassroots level.
“Having emphasised 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, “ he said.
The clarification is coming after a media report stated that the IGP ordered the immediate dissolution of tactical units across state commands nationwide, describing the publication as a misrepresentation of his directive.
Placid said the IG only directed a reduction in the number of tactical teams to address public concerns over their operations and alleged excesses.
According to him, the police chief acknowledged the contribution of tactical units to crime-fighting but expressed concern over their proliferation, which he said drains manpower from police divisions and posts, while creating supervision challenges that affect the integrity of the Force.
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