There is significant disquiet within the Nigeria Police Force following an order by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu. The police chief has directed the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units operating across state commands nationwide.
The directive followed a virtual meeting between senior officers and the IGP. An internal wireless message as reported by SaharaReporters confirmed that all existing tactical teams at command, area command, and divisional levels must cease operations immediately.
A Sweeping Restructuring
Under the new order, these units will be reformed into just two teams. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations will provide new names for these squads soon.
The signal specifically noted that units like the “Lion, Tiger, Scorpion squads and others by whatever names called” can no longer operate in their current form.
“Following the IGP’s directives at the just concluded Zoom meeting with Commissioners of Police and above, all existing tactical teams at commands are being reformed into two, with operational names to be provided by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations,” the message read.
Personnel from these dissolved squads will move into conventional policing roles. These include patrol duties, the Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), and general beat assignments.
Addressing Promotion Injustice
This restructuring comes as the IGP moves to “reconsider and rectify” alleged injustices from previous years. A confidential message dated 16 March 2026 revealed that the Police Service Commission (PSC) has rescheduled promotion exercises for senior officers.
Reports suggest many deserving officers were sidelined by a bribery scheme during the previous leadership. The current IGP is now providing a transparent window for these officers to earn their next ranks.
“The dissolved teams are to be subsumed into patrol and guard, DCB, JWC and beat with immediate effect,” the directive added.
High-Security Oversight
To ensure the integrity of the new promotion interviews, the IGP has ordered a high-security detail. The AIGPOL MOPOL must provide twelve “neatly turned-out armed men” for escort duty during the exercise.
The police hierarchy will likely share more details regarding this massive restructuring during the Officers’ Conference scheduled for 26 March 2026. While the official reason for the disbandment remains private, the move follows years of public outcry over extortion and rights abuses by special squads.
