The Inspector General of Police IGP Olatunji Disu, has introduced the Violent Crime Response Unit to further boost police response in fighting violent crime in the society.
The IGP disclosed this at an emergency conference with Police Commissioner and the Press in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
He said the move is a landmark reform in the operational structure of the Force.
“Today, I am proud to announce a landmark reform in the operational structure of the Nigeria Police Force. We have reconstituted and remodelled our state-level anti-crime capacity. The Special Weapons and Tactics units have been reorganized and elevated into a new formation: the Violent Crime Response Unit – the VCRU.”
The IGP noted that it is not a rebranding exercise but a shift in how serious crimes are approached in Nigeria.
“This is not a rebranding exercise. The VCRU represents a fundamental shift in how we approach serious crime in Nigeria. Every officer assigned to the VCRU has undergone intensive, specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement. These are professional officers, trained to modern standards.”
He said civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning and that the units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence.
“They will not be deployed on speculation, on prejudice, or on arbitrary command.
They will be deployed when the intelligence justifies deployment, and their operations will be subject to structured review.” He noted
The IGP charged each Commissioner of Police commands to establish the VCRU in their state, as the unit is responsible for its discipline, its conduct, and its results and carries the authority of the Commissioner and therefore the accountability of the Commissioner.
“I am directing all Commissioners to formally launch their State VCRU with full visibility, with community stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, and the press in attendance. Nigerians should know that this unit exists and what it stands for. and how to hold it accountable.”
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TOOL FOR COMMUNITY POLICING
Concerning better community policing, IGP Disu said the Nigeria Police Force cannot secure the nation alone, noting that security is a collective enterprise.
“We need the trust, the cooperation, and the active partnership of the Nigerian people, and we are committed to earning it. I am therefore directing every Commissioner of Police to hold regular town hall engagements across their State Commands.”
“These are not ceremonial events. Commissioners must sit with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, youth organizations, women’s groups, and transport unions, listening, sharing information, and building genuine partnerships.”
He directed all Commissioners of Police to make their contact details available to community leaders within their States.
‘When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice. Security intelligence flows from communities. When citizens trust the police, they share what they know. And that information saves lives. I therefore urge all Nigerians: if you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act.”
