Enugu State Police Command has arrested 182 suspects, rescued 31 kidnapped victims and recovered 57 firearms, including 13 AK-47 rifles, as it launched its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commissioned 12 refurbished operational vehicles to strengthen the fight against violent crime.
The command has also recovered 669 rounds of live ammunition and 44 vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles through intelligence-led operations in Enugu State and other parts of the country.
The figures were disclosed on Tuesday during the inauguration of the VCRU at its headquarters in Enugu, where security officials highlighted the need for stronger operational capacity, intelligence gathering, community collaboration and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13, Miller Gajere Dantawaye, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended Governor Peter Mbah for sponsoring the refurbishment of the 12 operational vehicles.
He said the vehicles, which were previously in deplorable condition, would improve police mobility, expand patrol coverage and enhance the command’s capacity to respond swiftly to security threat. emphasising that effective policing required cooperation among government, security agencies and local communities, urging residents to provide credible information that could assist in preventing and tackling crime.
The AIG, however, charged officers of the newly launched unit to maintain discipline, professionalism and respect for fundamental human rights, warning that security operations must be conducted within the confines of the law.
Refurbished operational vehicles.
The VCRU was established in April 2026 by the Inspector-General of Police as part of efforts to strengthen the response to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations and improved coordination.
Speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, said the unit reflected the police leadership’s commitment to building a more coordinated and professional response to violent crime.
He disclosed that personnel deployed to the unit had undergone profiling and vetting, alongside specialised training in human rights, Nigerian laws, the use of force and firearms, and emotional intelligence.
According to him, the training was designed to ensure that officers carried out their responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and applicable human rights standards.
Giwa explained that existing tactical squads had been integrated into the VCRU as specialised sections responsible for tackling armed robbery and terrorism, kidnapping, and cultism.
He added that a Monitoring/Media Sub-Section had also been established to monitor operational activities, oversee officers’ conduct and facilitate communication with the media.
The police commissioner assured residents that the command would continue to prioritise intelligence-led policing, community engagement and accountability, while commending the state government for its support for security operations.
The VCRU Civilian Oversight Board has pledged to support the unit’s operations while insisting that the fight against criminality must not come at the expense of citizens’ rights.
A representative of the board, Larry Oguego, said public safety and police accountability should go hand in hand, stressing that respect for the rule of law remained essential to effective law enforcement.
Oguego urged officers to uphold human rights in the discharge of their duties, noting that the public’s confidence in security institutions depended partly on their commitment to lawful and accountable policing.
The command said it had constituted the State VCRU Civilian Oversight Board in line with the Inspector-General’s directive to strengthen public participation and promote accountability in police operations.
The board comprises representatives of traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Police Community Relations Committee and the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
