By Augustine Ehikioya
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu has unveiled new operational reforms to address violent crimes nationwide.
Among the reforms is the creation of a new specialised unit to fight crimes.
IGP Disu unveiled the new reforms on Tuesday during a conference with senior leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, including Force Management Team, Assistant Inspector Generals (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police.
The meeting was to address pressing security concerns and reinforce accountability across commands.
Speaking at the meeting monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA), the IGP said that he has nothing to hide and no officer under his command would be allowed to hide anything, stressing that transparency is the foundation of the new Nigeria Police Force he is committed to build.
He said “Today, I am proud to announce a landmark reform in the operational structure of the Nigeria Police Force. We have reconstituted and remodelled our State-level anti-crime capacity.
“The Special Weapons and Tactics units have been reorganised and elevated into a new formation: the Violent Crime Response Unit – the VCRU.
“This is not a rebranding exercise. The VCRU represents a fundamental shift in how we approach serious crime in Nigeria. Every officer assigned to the VCRU has undergone intensive, specialised training in tactical operations, human rights compliance, intelligence analysis, and rules of engagement.
“These are professional officers, trained to modern standards.
Critically, civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning. These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence.”
According to him, they will not be deployed on speculation, on prejudice, or on arbitrary command, but “deployed when the intelligence justifies deployment – and their operations will be subject to structured review.”
Each Commissioner of Police, he said, commands the VCRU in their State, and will be responsible for its discipline, its conduct, and its results.
“The unit carries the authority of the Commissioner – and therefore the accountability of the Commissioner.
“I am directing all Commissioners to formally launch their State VCRU with full visibility – with community stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, and the press in attendance. Nigerians should know that this unit exists, what it stands for. and how to hold it accountable,” he stated.
Disu also reeled out the achievements of the Nigeria Police Force for the Month of April, 2026.
The achievements, he said, included the arrest of 28 suspected terrorists, 85 kidnapping suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 51 murder suspects and 54 suspected cultists.
He disclosed that 189 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period, while operatives recovered 140 firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition and 37 stolen vehicles.
Noting that the NPF has acted justly in the case of Effurun killings in Delta State, he said the extra-judicial killing of the suspect on Sunday, 26th April, 2026 was wrong, unlawful and violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of the Force.
“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he said.
To boost community policing nationwide, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police to enhance strategies through regular town hall meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
He also ordered them to make their contact details readily available at the State level to improve public trust and communication.
“I am also taking a step that I believe will send a strong signal of openness and accessibility: I am directing all Commissioners of Police to make their contact details available to community leaders within their States.
“When a community leader needs to reach their Commissioner of Police, that line must be open. That is what community policing looks like in practice.
“Security intelligence flows from communities. When citizens trust the police, they share what they know. And that information saves lives. I therefore urge all Nigerians: if you see something, say something. We are listening, and we will act.”
On Accountability Systems and Human Rights, he said the NPF has undertaken a comprehensive retraining and strategic repositioning of personnel, with particular emphasis on human rights standards, lawful use of force, and professional conduct.
Stressing that the retraining is ongoing, he added “and it will not stop.”
He also disclosed that the Police Complaints Response Unit – the CRU – remains fully operational, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Any citizen with a legitimate complaint about Police conduct has a direct and accessible channel. Contact details will be made available at the close of this conference. I encourage all Nigerians to use this channel, and I encourage members of the press to publicise it widely.
On the circulation on social media of videos depicting Police misconduct, IGP Disu noted that some of the incidents occurred years ago, and the officers involved were sanctioned at the time.
The IGP specifically charged Nigerians to judge the NPF by its actions going forward.
He directed all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective Commands.
“This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented, with detailed reports forwarded to the Force Headquarters within the stipulated timeframe.
“The objective is clear: to strengthen accountability, identify existing gaps, and provide an accurate assessment of our operational needs. Let me emphasise that this is not a routine administrative task, but a critical measure to enhance our readiness, prevent misuse, and ensure that all assets entrusted to the Force are properly accounted for and optimally deployed,” he stated.
