IG Orders Reduction of Tactical Police Teams Nationwide

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed a nationwide reduction of police tactical teams as part of efforts to enhance supervision and address public complaints regarding these units. The directive limits the number of tactical teams to a maximum of five at the zonal command level and three at the area command division level.

This decision follows concerns about the proliferation of tactical units, which have been alleged to operate with excessive force and poor supervision. The move aims to free up personnel for deployment to police stations, addressing a manpower shortage exacerbated by the increasing number of tactical teams.

The Inspector General emphasized that this reduction will not affect state government-created outfits, such as the Lagos Rapid Response Squad and the Oyo Special Response Squad. The initiative is expected to strengthen supervision, improve accountability, and reduce public complaints against tactical teams, thereby enhancing the police's grassroots effectiveness.