₦airaland Forum

Lanretoye:
The fake news and the statement…me I no see the difference

Let us clarify the facts. Words matter, especially when they’re used incorrectly.

Several online outlets incorrectly reported that Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, had disbanded all Tactical Police units and squads nationwide. This misinformation spread rapidly, caused unnecessary concern, and was FALSE.

The following outlines the actual events.

The IGP, an experienced officer with a background in leading tactical teams, identified a significant issue. The unchecked growth of Tactical units was depleting Police Divisions of personnel and leading to insufficient supervision, thereby weakening public trust.

His directive limits Tactical teams to a maximum of five at the Zonal and State Command levels, and three at the Area Command and Divisional levels, through merging or restructuring as determined by formation heads. State government created units, including Lagos RRS, Oyo SRS, and Bayelsa's Operation DOO-AKPOR, etc, remain unaffected.

The objective is to allocate more personnel to Police Stations, strengthen community policing, and address the issues that have raised public concern.

For the outlets that shared the false story, remember that words have consequences. A misleading headline about security does more than misinform; it damages trust, unsettles communities, and weakens people's confidence in the institutions meant to protect everyone.

Nigeria deserves accurate and reliable information from all sources. We encourage all Nigerians to verify information through official channels before taking action.

The IGP promised accountability and a Police Force that serves the people.

RE: BREAKING: INSPECTOR-GENERAL DISU DISBANDS ALL POLICE UNITS, SQUADS AT STATE COMMANDS, ORDERS IMMEDIATE RESTRUCTURING.

The attention of the Inspector-General of Police has been drawn to the above-captioned story recently circulated by some online media outlets. The publication stated that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, directed the immediate dissolution of multiple tactical units operating across state commands nationwide.

This report is a misrepresentation of the IGP’s directives. The IGP, a grassroots officer with a profound network across Nigerian society, is aware of public concerns about police tactical teams’ operations and the creation of multiple teams by Commissioners of Police and Heads of formations, with attendant backlash.

Having held command positions nationwide and witnessed tactical teams in action, the IGP values their contribution to crime-fighting. He is however uncomfortable with their proliferation, which drains Police Divisions and Posts of required manpower and brings issues that affect the Force’s integrity because of the excesses of the poorly supervised teams.

To address these issues, the IGP directed the reduction of the tactical teams at Zonal and State Command levels to a maximum of five, and Area Command and Divisional levels to a maximum of three. This can be achieved by merging or disbanding teams, at the Heads of formations’ discretion. The teams referred to exclude State Government-created outfits like Lagos’ Rapid Response Squad, Oyo’s SRS, and Bayelsa’s Operation DOO-AKPOR and other similar outfits across the country. The IGP expects this move to free personnel for Police Stations, reducing complaints about tactical team excesses.

Having emphasized accountability and a people-friendly Force in his maiden address to Nigerians, the IGP took this step to enhance supervision of existing teams, strengthen Police Divisions, and remove causes of complaints against the Force by members of the public.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
22nd March, 2026

President Tinubu speaks on his phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding military equipment support for Nigeria and the security situation in the country, during his meeting with some APC Governors at his Lagos State residence. pic.twitter.com/voxGnpVseK

— Musan Baturia (@BaturiaReports) March 23, 2026

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

WE WILL NOT ALLOW INSECURITY TO OVERSHADOW OUR EFFORTS AT HELPING THE VULNERABLE, PRESIDENT TINUBU SAYS

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday in Lagos, said his administration will intensify efforts to tackle the challenges of insecurity across various parts of the country, assuring that the safety and well-being of citizens featured at the meetings held in the United Kingdom.

President Tinubu, who hosted the Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 governors at his Lagos home for the Eid el-Fitr, said that he had followed up on support for modern security interventions with French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Your presence here today and the number show your sincerity, commitment and value for friendship and togetherness.

“The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country.

“I am making all the efforts to ensure that we collectively share the joy of our victory over tyranny. Insecurity is an enemy of development, progress, and prosperity. I am glad you are all mindful of the challenge.

“For me, I have committed to strengthening further the contacts and networks that are necessary. One of the major discussions in the United Kingdom was on equipment and support.

“I can report to you that yesterday, again, I had a lengthy discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. They are collaborating with us for equipment and support. I am also making frantic efforts to contact other nations,’’ he stated.

President Tinubu and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, returned on Friday from a three-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, where King Charles III and Queen Camila hosted them.

The President also held a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, before his return to Nigeria for the Eid-el-fitr.

“We should care more for the vulnerable. I know this Middle East crisis will spike inflation and affect our purchasing power. The labour union and others will be gearing to ask us to support more due to the effect of the Middle East war and crisis,’’ the President added.

The President urged the state governors to remain steadfast and resilient in translating their ideas and visions into policies and programmes that directly impact citizens' livelihoods, and to support the government in tackling the “tyranny” of criminals.

President Tinubu advised the governors to provide further incentives to cushion the inflationary impact of the war in the Middle East on energy and transportation prices.

He thanked Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, for the condolence visit to Borno State, assuring the people of the state of stronger protection through new technology.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, thanked the President for his intervention in the states with the visionary Renewed Hope Agenda.

“On behalf of my colleagues, the governors, we bring your excellency, season greetings from the people of our various states. We thank the Almighty God for His mercies that saw us through the month of Ramadan.

“We pray that the Almighty God will see us through the period of Lent, and grant us sustainable peace,’’ he said.

The Chairman of NGF congratulated the President on the successful State Visit to the United Kingdom and the investment agreements reached.

“While our mission has been to have a good relationship with the United Kingdom, the State Visit, first in 37 years, is bold and significant. It speaks to new levels of relationship with Nigeria, and we thank you for it.

“Together, we must see that the issue of insecurity comes to an end. Regarding state police, discussions are ongoing with various security agencies led by the National Security Adviser, and the NGF has made its contributions. The NGF will take the document to the National Assembly to see how we can have a legislative framework for the state police,’’ the governor noted.

Governors at the meeting were: Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Imo State; Alex Otti, Abia State; Umo Eno, Akwa Ibom State; Douye Diri, Bayelsa State; Hyacinth Alia, Benue State; Bassey Otu, Cross River State; Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State; Francis Nwifuru, Ebonyi State; Monday Okpebholo, Edo State; Peter Mbah, Enugu State; Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State; and Umar Namadi, Jigawa State.

Others: Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kano State; Dikko Umaru Radda, Katsina State; Ahmed Usman Ododo, Kogi State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa State; Caleb Mufwang, Plateau State; Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State; Agbu Keffas, Taraba State; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State.

The deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, was also at the meeting.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 22, 2026

mastermaestro:
You are writing like a suckling. Maybe if you stretched your reasoning by one more inch, you wouldn't have asked such a silly question.

mastermaestro:
Someone, probably his lawyer, advised him to feign ignorance in order to escape prosecution and possible dethronement. The viral nature of the report, not the barbarism, is what he doesn't want to be identified with.

SmileDance:
That's a lie, he was well informed, imagine if his wife or daughter also came out on that day.
He was just being smart.

Ishilove:
He was not informed. Did you read the OP's narration or watch the video? HE WAS NOT INFORMED.

The community head and chief organiser of the event, one chief Omorede Sunday and four other suspects from Oramudu quarters in Ozoro have been arrested. The CP has ordered that they should be transferred to State CID with immediate effect. The CP vows that anyone involved will be arrested and brought to justice

The Chiefpriest in Ozoro alongside the Oramudhu leaders that orchestrated and planned the festival without informing the king have been arrested by the Nigeria Police.

They are being transfer straight to State CID . pic.twitter.com/pikttGYT19

— Nukky 24/7 Media (@Nukky247media) March 22, 2026

Almost a year on from signing the memorandum of understanding on fraud prevention between Uk & Nigeria , it was good to catch up with the Attorney General & national security lead at Lancaster House London today to discuss progress .

Joint cooperation to prevent fraud #Nigeria