The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Rilwan Olatunji Disu, has announced the rollout of new Violent Crime Response Units across Nigeria (VCRUs), replacing the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).
Disu made the announcement on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with state Commissioners of Police at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the VCRUs would be deployed to all 36 state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The units are a restructured evolution of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and will fall under the direct command of state police commissioners, who will be held accountable for their conduct and results.
According to the IGP, officers selected for the VCRUs have undergone intensive training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, human rights compliance and rules of engagement.
He stressed that deployments would be intelligence-led and not arbitrary.
A central part of the reform is the inclusion of civilian oversight to improve transparency and accountability in the units’ activities.
Disu also addressed the recent extrajudicial killing of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State, calling it "unlawful and a violation of professional policing standards."
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Police Parade 26 Suspects over Firearms, Others
He confirmed that the officer and his team had been dismissed and that the case had been referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
"The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership has zero tolerance for extra-judicial actions. Accountability will be pursued to its logical conclusion," he said.
As part of the reforms, the IGP directed commissioners to engage regularly with traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society groups to rebuild public trust and strengthen intelligence gathering.
He also ordered that commissioners share their contact details with community leaders.
The Force has also begun a nationwide audit of arms and ammunition to prevent misuse and improve operational readiness, he added.
Disu mentioned recent operational gains, stating that in April 2026 alone the police arrested 28 suspected terrorists, 85 kidnapping suspects, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects and 54 people linked to cultism.
A total of 189 kidnapped victims were rescued nationwide during the same period.
The operations also led to the recovery of 140 firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition and 37 stolen vehicles.
Reiterating his commitment to reform, Disu urged officers to uphold professionalism and integrity while pledging to restore public confidence in the police.
0 Comments