Nigeria: FCT police launch unit to combat violent crime including kidnapping

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a new specialized unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to tackle rising incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes within Abuja and its surrounding communities. The establishment of the VCRU comes directly from the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as part of a broader strategy to bolster operational capabilities and improve public safety across the nation.

“

The Violent Crime Response Unit is a specialised intervention unit established by the Inspector-General of Police as part of efforts aimed at confronting violent crime and strengthening operational effectiveness across commands nationwide.

Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, stated that the VCRU's creation demonstrates the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to proactively addressing emerging security threats. The unit has been strategically organized into five operational sectors to ensure comprehensive coverage, rapid response times, enhanced intelligence gathering, and effective crime-fighting throughout the FCT. This structure aims to prevent any area from becoming vulnerable and to maintain a proactive, visible, and responsive policing presence.

“

The officers and men making up this unit have been carefully selected, thoroughly screened and rigorously trained for this assignment. Their selection was not accidental. It was based on competence, discipline, operational capacity and the ability to function effectively under demanding circumstances.

Sanusi emphasized that the officers assigned to the VCRU underwent a rigorous selection and training process, focusing on competence, discipline, and operational capacity. He warned the unit's members against any form of misconduct, including abuse of authority, intimidation, harassment, extortion, or extrajudicial use of power, stating that such actions will not be tolerated. The Commissioner urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely information, highlighting that effective security is a collaborative effort.

“

You must conduct yourself with the highest level of professionalism, discipline, restraint and integrity. You are expected to operate in accordance with established laws, police regulations, human rights principles and globally accepted policing standards.