A sweeping police operation across Nigeria has delivered a major breakthrough, as hundreds of suspects were arrested and kidnapped victims freed.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, confirmed that 280 suspected criminals were arrested nationwide last month. In addition, 189 kidnapped victims were rescued through coordinated intelligence-led operations.
However, beyond the arrests, a new policing strategy has been quietly rolled out. The IGP announced the creation of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to Disu, the arrests covered a wide range of serious crimes. These included 28 suspected terrorists, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 85 kidnapping suspects, and 54 suspected cultists.
Moreover, law enforcement officers recovered 140 firearms and 1,074 rounds of ammunition. A total of 37 stolen vehicles were also retrieved during the operations.
Speaking at an emergency meeting in Abuja, the IGP stressed that the results were driven by intelligence-based policing.
“This is not a rebranding exercise. The VCRU represents a fundamental shift in how we approach serious crime in Nigeria,” Disu said.
Furthermore, he explained that officers assigned to the new unit have undergone specialised training. This training covers tactical response, intelligence gathering, and respect for human rights.
In addition, strict oversight measures have been introduced to guide the operations of the unit.
“They will not be deployed on speculation or prejudice. Their operations will be intelligence-driven and subject to structured review,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Commissioners of Police across states have been given direct responsibility for the unit. Their role includes ensuring discipline, effectiveness, and accountability in all operations.
The police crime crackdown is expected to reshape how violent crimes are handled nationwide.
In addition, the IGP reassured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to public safety.
