The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has dismantled the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Nigeria Police Force and ordered the transfer of personnel previously attached to the unit, including officers who had worked with Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede.
Fakorede is the immediate former head of the Police Monitoring Team, also known as the IGP Monitoring Unit.
SaharaReporters exclusively learnt that according to the directive, about 88 officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit have been removed and redeployed as part of a wider restructuring exercise within the Force.
The affected officers are to be transferred out of their current postings, while the SIU structure is to be taken over by a reconstituted IGP Monitoring Unit.
“IGP Disu has dismantled the Special Investigation Unit of the NPF and has transferred all personnel who once worked with controversial police officer Fakorede,” a top police source said
“Consequently, 88 officers at IGP Monitoring Unit were removed and transferred out.”
The new arrangement will now be headed by Aliyu Abubakar, who is expected to oversee the operations of the restructured unit.
The move is part of ongoing internal reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at reorganising investigative and monitoring structures.
Naija Punch News
HomeBreaking News[BREAKING]Police Shake-Up: IGP Disbands SIU, Transfers Officers Linked to FakoredebyProsper—April 19, 20260
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has dismantled the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Nigeria Police Force and ordered the transfer of personnel previously attached to the unit, including officers who had worked with Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede.
Fakorede is the immediate former head of the Police Monitoring Team, also known as the IGP Monitoring Unit.
SaharaReporters exclusively learnt that according to the directive, about 88 officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit have been removed and redeployed as part of a wider restructuring exercise within the Force.
The affected officers are to be transferred out of their current postings, while the SIU structure is to be taken over by a reconstituted IGP Monitoring Unit.
“IGP Disu has dismantled the Special Investigation Unit of the NPF and has transferred all personnel who once worked with controversial police officer Fakorede,” a top police source said
“Consequently, 88 officers at IGP Monitoring Unit were removed and transferred out.”
The new arrangement will now be headed by Aliyu Abubakar, who is expected to oversee the operations of the restructured unit.
The move is part of ongoing internal reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at reorganising investigative and monitoring structures.
In March, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that a new leadership transition had taken place within the IGP Monitoring Unit as Deputy Commissioner of Police Abubakar officially assumed command, succeeding Fakorede.
Abubakar was tasked with overseeing the activities of the team, with a strong mandate to ensure accountability and professionalism within the force.
According to the directive, the IGP Monitoring Unit under his leadership would also be responsible for executing special assignments and any additional duties that might be assigned by the IGP from time to time.
On Friday, March 13, 2026, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that Fakorede had been placed on mandatory leave and was expected to resume duties after 40 days as Commissioner of Police in charge of Research.
Earlier, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that he had been removed as Head of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Following his removal, Abubakar was posted to replace him as head of the Police Mobile Unit (PMU), also known as the IGP Monitoring Unit. Sources had told SaharaReporters that the decision was ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Fakorede, a former commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), was appointed to lead the IGP Monitoring Unit in December 2024 by then-IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment had attracted criticism from human rights groups, which raised concerns over alleged brutality, extrajudicial killings, and election-related misconduct during his time with SARS. Civil society organisations warned that his record could undermine public confidence in the monitoring unit.
His tenure was also dogged by allegations of human rights violations, bias, and unprofessional conduct.
He was further linked to a controversial land dispute at the River Park Estate in Abuja, where he was accused of showing bias against Ghanaian investors. In January 2026, the unit under his leadership was also accused of attacking journalists and workers during a protest at the same estate.
In September 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, publicly criticised Fakorede, describing him as a “killer” with a history of brutality and alleged interference in elections, particularly during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State.
Speaking on Channels Television, Wike referenced Fakorede’s former role as head of the Federal SARS unit in Rivers State and repeatedly condemned his alleged conduct. He also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had reportedly written to the police, asking that Fakorede be barred from participating in election-related duties.
Wike said he had previously raised concerns with former IGP Egbetokun, warning that Fakorede’s appointment to the monitoring unit was troubling.
During the TV interview, Wike said, “Then the only policeman, the one they called Akin Fakorede, I hear now, is the one in charge of the IG monitoring team. He was in charge of SARS. That was a killer.
“He was in charge of SARS in Rivers State. I say a killer. A killer. Can I tell you? That’s nothing I cannot say today.”
“Many police officers call him ‘Odogwu’ and he is close to most of them. He is even seen as a philanthropist,” one of the sources familiar with police interaction with Michael said.
