Police Refute Claims of Disbanding RRS, SWAT, Others, Say Units Will Only Be Reduced and Restructured

The Nigeria Police Force has debunked reports claiming that all police tactical units across country have been dissolved, clarifying that directive issued by Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, only mandates a reduction and restructuring of such units.

In a statement released on March 22, 2026, by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, police described earlier reports circulating as a “misrepresentation” of IGP’s directive.

According to the statement, IGP did not order a blanket disbandment of tactical units. Instead, he directed that tactical teams at Zonal and State Command levels be reduced to a maximum of five, while those at Area Command and Divisional levels be limited to three. This, statement noted, may involve merging or disbanding units at discretion of heads of formations.

Police leadership explained that move is part of efforts to address growing concerns over proliferation of tactical teams, which has reportedly strained manpower at Police Divisions and Posts, while also contributing to issues of poor supervision and misconduct.

“IGP values role of tactical teams in crime-fighting,” statement noted, “but is concerned about their unchecked expansion and integrity challenges posed by poorly supervised units.”

Importantly, directive excludes state government-backed outfits such as Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Oyo State’s Special Response Squad (SRS), and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR, along with similar formations across country.

Restructuring, according to police, is expected to free up personnel for core policing duties at stations, improve supervision, and reduce complaints from members of public regarding excesses by some tactical teams.

The clarification follows earlier reports by GovernMEND Nigeria, citing Sahara Reporters, which claimed that IGP had ordered immediate dissolution of multiple police units, including SWAT, Anti-Robbery, Anti-Kidnapping, and other specialized squads nationwide.

Those reports further alleged that all tactical teams, regardless of designation, had been scrapped and would be replaced with newly structured units, with officers redeployed to regular policing duties. Reports also linked move to longstanding public criticism over human rights abuses, extortion, and misconduct by certain police units.

Police added that directive aligns with IGP’s broader commitment to accountability, improved supervision, and building a more people-friendly policing system. It also aims to strengthen Police Divisions by addressing manpower shortages caused by over-concentration of officers in multiple tactical squads.

This development comes ahead of Police Officers’ Conference scheduled for March 26, 2026, where further details on ongoing reforms within Force are expected to be discussed.