The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has directed the immediate disbandment of several special police units across the country as part of a sweeping reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
The affected units include the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping squads, Scorpion Squad, Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Monitoring Units, Tiger Squad, Gender Units, and Anti-Robbery squads.
According to the directive, officers previously assigned to these units will be redeployed to conventional policing roles such as patrol duties, Divisional Crime Branch (DCB), Juvenile and Women Centres (JWC), and other community-based assignments.
The restructuring is part of ongoing efforts to improve professionalism, strengthen accountability, and address public concerns over allegations of human rights violations, extortion, and misconduct linked to some tactical units.
The IGP emphasized that the reform aims to build a more transparent, community-focused, and service-oriented police force.