The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate disbandment of all special police units and squads nationwide, effective immediately. This move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at reforming the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The disbanded units include:
– Rapid Response Squad (RRS)
– Anti-Cultism
– Anti-Kidnapping
– Scorpion Squad
– Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS)
– Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
– Monitoring Units
– Tiger Squad
– Gender Units
– Anti-Robbery squads
Personnel from these units will be redeployed to conventional policing structures, including patrol and guard duties, Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC), and general beat assignments.
This move is seen as an effort to address public concerns over human rights abuses, extortion and extrajudicial operations by some tactical units.
The IGP has emphasised professionalism, accountability and community partnership as core pillars of the reform.
