Enugu State Police Command, Tuesday, launched its Violent Crime Response Unit to check crimes in the state.
THE WHISTLER reports that the unit is located at the former operations base of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad
Speaking at the unveiling, the state Police Commissioner, CP Bitrus Giwa, recalled that in April 2026, the Inspector-General of Police established the VCRU with defined mandates, operational guidelines and oversight mechanisms to strengthen the fight against violent crimes.
He listed the mandates to include investigating and suppressimg armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations; protecting lives and property; and promoting public trust through community engagement, as well as ensuring proper documentation, transparency and accountability in all operations.
Giwa said, “In line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directives, all personnel posted to the Command’s VCRU underwent profiling and vetting to establish their integrity and suitability for service. They 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.”
He added that the IGP also directed the establishment of a State VCRU Civilian Oversight Board comprising independent representatives of key stakeholder groups.
Quoting him, “In compliance, I constituted the Board with the following members: HRH Igwe Chinedu Nyia Nwobodo , traditional Institution; Mr Larry Ogwuego, Civil Society; Barr Odo Venatious, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Mr Obinna Ogbuka, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ); Rev Bright Alaribe, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and Comrade Ebuka Bartholomew Okoh – National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).”
He said the Board has the responsibility of providing civilian oversight, channel community feedback and promote accountability.
“The VCRU also operates a Complaints Desk, headed by the State Media Liaison Officer, to receive and address complaints relating to the Unit’s activities,” he said.
Giwa said the Command partnered with the Enugu State government to facilitate the unit’s effective operation. He thanked Gov Peter Mbah for his continued support, particularly the provision of operational vehicles and other essential logistics.
He said in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directive, existing tactical squads whose mandates align with combating violent crime have been integrated into the VCRU as specialised sub-sections.
He listed them as VCRU Crack Tactical Sub-Section to handle armed robbery, terrorism and related offences; VCRU Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Section to handle kidnapping and related violent crimes; VCRU Anti-Cultism Sub-Section in charge of cultism and related violent crimes, as well as VCRU Monitoring/Media Sub-Section to oversight operational monitoring, professional conduct oversight, media liaison and related responsibilities.
He said VCRU, since its establishment, had conducted intelligence-led operations both in Enugu State and across the nation in keeping with professional standards and respect for human rights.
He said, “Its operations have contributed to the Command’s efforts against armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, cultism and illicit drug trafficking. These have resulted in arrests and prosecution of many suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims and recoveries of firearms, including AK-47 rifles, live ammunition, other offensive weapons, stolen and snatched vehicles, illicit drugs and substance and other incriminating exhibits.”
According to him, the operations of the unit led to the arrest of forty 40 armed robbers, 38 suspected kidnappers, 36 unlawful firearm possessors, and 68 suspected cult members. He said the unit also rescued 31 kidnapped victims.
It also recovered 57 assorted firearms, 669 assorted live ammunition, and 44 vehicular exhibits, he said, adding that “the unit remains central to the Command’s efforts to prevent and combat violent crime across Enugu State”.
He said, “The establishment of the VCRU underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating violent crimes through intelligence-led operations, professionalism and accountability.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, was represented by AIG Miller Dantawaye Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, comprising Anambra and Enugu State Commands.
