By John Ugo
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the immediate dismantling of the Intelligence Response Teams (IRTs) and Special Tactical Squad in all the police units nationwide.
This may not be unconnected with the dramatic and sudden arrest of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head, Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, Abba Kyari, and four others who are allegedly linked to international drug trafficking.
Abba Kyari and the others are currently in the custody of the NDLEA.
However, all serving officers in the satellite units have been ordered to report immediately to the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing.
A Source close to the force headquarters said that authorities have directed that serving officers and men in the unit would be demobilized and posted to commands across the country.
The source said that the IGP has decided that IRT operatives are subordinated to the Commissioners of Police in the states where they are posted for effective supervision.
It was said that the various commissioners of police would henceforth be held accountable for the actions or inactions of the IRT operatives under their commands.
It was gathered that the Force management had also directed that the IRT/STS Headquarters in Abuja be fortified and organised for enhanced operational performance to combat emerging trends.
Recall that the then Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu had in July 2020 directed the dismantling of the satellite offices and bases of the IRT and STS.
He left the headquarters of the units under the State Investigation Bureau as a response to the public outcry on human right abuses by some officers of the units.

