Enugu Police Launch Violent Crime Response Unit, Unveil 12 Operational Vehicles
…Arrest 182 suspects, rescue 31 kidnapped victims, recover 13 AK-47 rifles
…Mbah commended for security support as civilian oversight board promises accountability
The Enugu State Police Command has launched its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), with the commissioning of 12 operational vehicles to strengthen the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, terrorism and other violent crimes in the state.
The unit, established in April 2026 by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has recorded significant operational achievements, including the arrest of 182 suspects, rescue of 31 kidnapped victims and recovery of 57 assorted firearms, including 13 AK-47 rifles.
The Command also recovered 669 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 44 vehicular exhibits comprising motor vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles during intelligence-led operations conducted in Enugu State and other parts of the country.
The formal launch of the unit and commissioning of the operational vehicles took place on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the VCRU headquarters, Enugu.
The event was attended by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Miller Gajere Dantawaye, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, alongside the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, other security stakeholders and representatives of civil society organisations.
Mbah’s intervention strengthens police operations
Speaking at the ceremony, AIG Dantawaye commended Governor Peter Mbah for sponsoring the refurbishment and repair of the 12 operational vehicles, which he said had previously been in deplorable conditions.
He described the intervention as a demonstration of visionary leadership, prudent resource utilisation and commitment to strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu State.
The police chief also acknowledged the state government’s continued support for security infrastructure and other initiatives aimed at protecting lives and property.
According to him, effective policing requires sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies and the communities they serve.
“On behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the entire Nigeria Police Force, I express our profound gratitude and assure you that these vehicles will be put to effective and responsible use,” he said.
Dantawaye noted that the vehicles would enhance police mobility, operational visibility and readiness, facilitate rapid deployment to crime scenes, improve patrol coverage and strengthen intelligence-led operations.
He said the restoration of the vehicles represented more than an improvement in the police fleet, describing it as the recovery of valuable operational assets that would expand the Command’s capacity to respond to security threats.
The AIG also praised the Inspector-General of Police for prioritising operational efficiency, proactive policing and improved responses to violent crime, noting that the establishment of the VCRU reflected the Force’s determination to strengthen its response to serious criminal activities.
Dantawaye said the establishment of the unit was timely and strategic, as it would promote a coordinated, intelligence-driven and responsive approach to policing.
He explained that its operations would focus on preventing violent crime, protecting vulnerable persons, responding swiftly to emergencies and ensuring that perpetrators of criminal acts were brought to justice.
The AIG charged officers and personnel assigned to the unit to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, courage and respect for human rights.
He warned that police personnel must operate within the law, remain accountable in the discharge of their duties and treat members of the public with fairness, dignity and respect.
According to him, public confidence remains indispensable to effective policing.
He also called on residents of Enugu State to support the unit by providing credible and timely information, cooperating with lawful police operations and remaining vigilant against criminal activities.
“Security is a collective responsibility, and our success will depend significantly on public trust, community participation and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.
Dantawaye expressed confidence that the unit would contribute significantly to crime prevention, reduction of violent incidents and protection of lives and property across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said the establishment of the VCRU was part of the Inspector-General of Police’s strategy to strengthen the fight against violent crime through intelligence gathering, professional conduct and effective operational coordination.
Giwa explained that the unit was established in April 2026 with clearly defined mandates, operational guidelines and oversight mechanisms.
According to him, the VCRU is responsible for investigating and suppressing armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that its activities comply with the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and applicable international human rights standards.
Other responsibilities include promoting public trust through community engagement and ensuring proper documentation, transparency and accountability in all operations.
Giwa disclosed that all personnel deployed to the unit underwent profiling and vetting to establish their integrity and suitability for service, in compliance with the Inspector-General’s directives.
He said the officers also received training in human rights and professional conduct, covering relevant Nigerian laws, the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, principles governing the use of force and firearms, and social and emotional intelligence in policing.
The training, he explained, was designed to ensure that personnel carried out their duties professionally while respecting the rights of citizens.
The commissioner further disclosed that existing tactical squads whose responsibilities align with combating violent crime had been integrated into the VCRU as specialised sub-sections.
He listed them as the VCRU Crack Tactical Sub-Section, responsible for armed robbery, terrorism and related offences; the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Section, which handles kidnapping and associated violent crimes; and the Anti-Cultism Sub-Section, which tackles cultism and related offences.
The Monitoring/Media Sub-Section is responsible for operational monitoring, oversight of professional conduct, media liaison and related duties.
He said the integrated structure would promote coordination, enhance operational efficiency and ensure a more focused response to different categories of violent crime.
Giwa commended Governor Mbah for the state government’s continued support for security operations, particularly the provision of operational vehicles and other essential logistics.
He also praised IGP Disu for the initiative and his efforts to strengthen policing nationwide.
The commissioner reassured the Inspector-General, the state government, security stakeholders and law-abiding residents of the Command’s determination to combat violent crime and safeguard lives and property.
He said the unit would continue to rely on intelligence-led operations, professionalism, community engagement and accountability to deliver on its mandate.
Meanwhile, the representative of the Civil Society Group on the VCRU Civilian Oversight Board, Mr Larry Oguego, commended the establishment of the unit, pledging the group’s commitment to supporting its objectives and contributing to efforts to curb crime in society.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Oguego said civil society organisations were prepared to make meaningful contributions towards ensuring the unit achieved its mandate.
He, however, charged the police to give due consideration to human rights requirements while pursuing the fight against crime.
Oguego stressed that the need to protect citizens’ rights must be recognised alongside the imperative of taking decisive action against criminality.
He maintained that while effective action against crime was necessary to guarantee public safety, respect for human rights and the rule of law should remain integral to police operations.
To strengthen public participation and accountability, the Command had constituted a State VCRU Civilian Oversight Board in compliance with the Inspector-General’s directive.
The board comprises representatives of the traditional institution, civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Police Community Relations Committee and the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
