IGP Tunji Disu Reportedly Dissolves RRS, SWAT, Anti-Robbery, Others
Tunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered the immediate dissolution of several tactical units across the country.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the affected units include the 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, and Anti-Robbery squads, among others.
The directive was said to have been communicated through an internal police wireless message after a virtual meeting between the IGP and senior police officers.
The message stated that all tactical teams at command, area command, and divisional levels have been dissolved with immediate effect, regardless of their names. It added that the units would now be restructured into two new groups, with official names to be announced by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.
It also made it clear that units known by names such as “Lion,” “Tiger,” and “Scorpion” are no longer allowed to operate in their current form.
Under the new arrangement, only area commands and divisional surveillance units will operate temporarily until further instructions are given.
Officers who were part of the dissolved units have been directed to return to regular police duties. These include patrol, guard duties, the Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), the Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC), and general beat assignments.
Further details about the restructuring as reported by Saharareporters, are expected to be announced at the Police Officers’ Conference scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Although the police authorities did not clearly state the reason for this major decision, the move comes after years of public complaints about some tactical units. Many of these units have been accused of human rights abuses, extortion, and unlawful operations.
In a related development, the IGP has also approved a special resit promotion examination and interview for senior officers who were not promoted in previous exercises.
Another internal message, dated March 16, 2026, and also obtained by SaharaReporters, shows that the Police Service Commission has rescheduled promotion exercises for Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), and Superintendents of Police (SPs) who were unsuccessful in the December 2025 and March 2026 promotion rounds.
Sources quoted by SaharaReporters claimed that some officers were unfairly denied promotion due to alleged bribery during the tenure of former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. The report alleged that some senior officers were overlooked while junior officers who paid bribes were promoted.
The current IGP is said to be taking steps to correct these issues by giving affected officers another chance through a more transparent process.
All commands have been directed to release eligible officers to attend the exercise. They have also been advised to prepare by reviewing key areas such as professional studies, law, and local regulations.
To ensure security during the exercise, the police have arranged for armed escorts and operational vehicles to be stationed at the Force Headquarters Parade Ground early in the morning on the day of the exercise.
