Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has ordered the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units across state commands nationwide, signaling a major restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force. The directive, communicated via an internal wireless message, affects units at command, area command, and divisional levels, regardless of their operational names.
Under the new arrangement, only area commands and divisional surveillance units will operate temporarily while personnel from disbanded units are redeployed into conventional policing structures, including patrol and guard duties, the Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC), and general beat assignments. Units such as Lion, Tiger, and Scorpion squads were explicitly included in the dissolution.
The restructuring will be further detailed at the end-of-month Officers’ Conference scheduled for March 26, 2026. While no official reason was given, the move follows longstanding public concerns over certain tactical units accused of human rights abuses, extortion, and extrajudicial operations. Some specialized units, including RRS, Anti-Cultism, Anti-Kidnapping, SWAT, and Anti-Robbery teams, were reportedly spared.
The directive comes shortly after IGP Disu ordered a special resit promotion examination for senior officers overlooked in previous cycles. Officers affected, including DCPs, ACPs, CSPs, and SPs, will now have an opportunity to earn promotions that were allegedly blocked under former IGP Kayode Egbetokun due to bribery schemes and favoritism in the Police Service Commission.
To ensure the integrity of the resit exercise, high-security measures have been ordered, including armed escorts and standby vehicles. Officers are advised to review professional studies, law, and local acts ahead of the interviews, marking a push toward transparency and accountability in promotions while simultaneously overhauling operational structures across the police force.