BREAKING: Police Restructure: IGP Disu Dissolves Command-Level Tactical Squads
There is growing unease within the Nigeria Police Force following a directive by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, ordering the immediate dissolution of several tactical units operating across state commands nationwide.
The directive was conveyed through an internal wireless message after a virtual meeting between the IGP and senior police officers.
According to the communication, all tactical teams at command, area command, and divisional levels—regardless of their operational names—have been disbanded with immediate effect.
Part of the message stated that the dissolved units would be restructured into two new formations, with official operational names to be announced by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.
Units operating under names such as “Lion,” “Tiger,” and “Scorpion,” among others, are no longer permitted to function in their current form.
Pending further directives, only area commands and divisional surveillance units are allowed to operate on a temporary basis.
Personnel affected by the restructuring are to be redeployed into conventional policing roles, including patrol and guard duties, the Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC), and general beat assignments.
The police leadership indicated that additional details on the restructuring would be unveiled during the end-of-month Officers’ Conference scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Although no official reason was given for the sweeping reform, the move comes amid longstanding public concerns over allegations of human rights abuses, extortion, and extrajudicial activities linked to some tactical units.
However, police sources disclosed that several high-profile units—including Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anti-Cultism, Anti-Kidnapping, SWAT, IGP Monitoring, and others—remain unaffected by the directive.
The restructuring follows closely on the heels of another directive by the IGP ordering a special resit promotion examination and interactive session for senior officers reportedly overlooked in previous promotion exercises.
A confidential police signal dated March 16, 2026, revealed that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has rescheduled the exercise for Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Chief Superintendents (CSPs), and Superintendents of Police (SPs) who were unsuccessful in the December 2025 and March 2026 promotion cycles.
Sources within the force alleged that some officers were previously sidelined due to bribery during the tenure of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun, with claims that senior officials colluded to favour junior officers who paid for advancement.
The current police leadership is said to be taking steps to address these concerns by creating a more transparent process for affected officers.
The signal also directed all commands to release eligible officers for the exercise, urging them to prepare in key areas such as professional studies, law, and relevant local legislation.
To ensure security, the IGP ordered the deployment of armed personnel and logistics support, including 12 armed officers for escort duty and two Hilux vehicles to be stationed at the Force Headquarters Parade Ground ahead of the exercise.
