The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered the disbandment of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), alongside the redeployment of dozens of officers linked to the former head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Akin Fakorede.
The move, described by sources as part of a broader internal reform, affects approximately 88 officers previously attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit.
These police officers have now been transferred out of their current roles as the police leadership restructures its investigative and oversight framework.
Under the new arrangement, the SIU will effectively be absorbed into a reconstituted IGP Monitoring Unit, now headed by Aliyu Abubakar.
He is expected to oversee operations with a mandate focused on accountability, professionalism, and special assignments directed by Disu
Abubakar had earlier assumed leadership of the unit following a transition that saw Fakorede removed and placed on mandatory leave, with plans for reassignment to a research role after the leave period.
Fakorede’s tenure had been surrounded by persistent controversy.
Read also:
- IGP Disu commends FCT Journalists, seeks stronger Police–Media partnership
- Disu commends FCT journalists, seeks stronger police–media partnership
- IGP Olatunji Disu vows neutrality ahead of 2027 elections, warns officers against partisanship
A former commander of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), his appointment to the monitoring unit drew criticism from civil society groups over allegations of human rights abuses, including claims of brutality, extrajudicial actions, and election-related misconduct.
He was also linked to disputes such as the River Park Estate incident in Abuja, where his unit faced accusations of bias and alleged attacks on journalists and protesters.
Criticism intensified after Nyesom Wike publicly condemned Fakorede, accusing him of a history of violent conduct during his time in Rivers State and raising concerns about his involvement in election security operations.
The restructuring signals a significant shift in the internal operations of the police, particularly in how sensitive investigations and monitoring tasks are handled.
Officials say the overhaul is aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening discipline within the force, and ensuring that specialised units operate within defined professional and legal standards.
The latest development underscores ongoing efforts by the police leadership to reform institutional structures amid mounting scrutiny over accountability and human rights practices.
