The Police Service Commission (PSC) has cautioned state police commands against allowing tactical units to overshadow recognised police departments, particularly at state headquarters.
The commission expressed concerns that some state commissioners misuse these special units, thereby rendering core police departments ineffective—even when such departments are led by Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).
PSC’s Warning to Newly Appointed Commissioners
The warning was delivered during an interactive session with nine newly appointed Commissioners of Police (CPs) recommended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for state command deployments.
In a statement on Monday, the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, stressed that the new commissioners must ensure that existing police departments function without being overshadowed by tactical squads.
“The commission notes that many state commissioners have abused tactical units, rendering recognised police departments redundant, even when led by Deputy Commissioners of Police,” Ani said.
Newly Appointed Commissioners and Their Postings
The PSC approved the IGP’s recommendations and assigned the following officers to state commands:
- Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba (Kano State) – Zamfara Command
- Breret Emmanuel Simon (Plateau State) – Taraba Command
- Christopher Ado Emmanuel (Niger State) – Yobe Command
- Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin (Ondo State) – Cross River Command
- Adamu Abdullahi Elleman (Jigawa State) – Niger Command
- Sani Omolori Aliyu (Kogi State) – Bauchi Command
- Bello Shehu (Gombe State) – Katsina Command
- Saka Adewale Ajao (Ogun State) – FCT Command
- Ojo Adekimi (Ekiti State) – Kwara Command
PSC’s Directive on Tactical Units
The PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), warned the officers against allowing tactical units to take over the roles of recognised police departments.
He urged the new commissioners to work closely with Deputy Commissioners and other subordinates, emphasizing the need to build relationships with youths, traditional leaders, and organizations such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
DIG Lakanu further advised the officers to:
- Collaborate with their subordinates.
- Avoid creating unnecessary squads.
- Establish trust with local communities.
The PSC’s warning reflects growing concerns over the misuse of tactical units, which has been linked to abuses of power and the undermining of core policing functions.