The Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Monday launched a specialised Violent Crime Response Unit aimed at combating kidnapping, armed robbery, violent attacks and other serious crimes across Abuja and its satellite communities.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, said the unit was established on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and improve public safety.
Sanusi said the creation of the unit reflected the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to proactively addressing emerging security threats and enhancing its response capabilities.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the unit has been strategically divided into five operational sectors to ensure wider coverage, faster response, improved intelligence gathering and effective crime-fighting operations throughout the FCT.
“This sectoral structure is designed to ensure that no area is left vulnerable and that policing services remain proactive, visible and responsive,” he added.
The police commissioner disclosed that officers deployed to the unit were carefully selected and rigorously trained based on competence, discipline and operational capacity.
“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,” he said.
Sanusi charged members of the new unit to uphold professionalism and respect for human rights in the discharge of their duties, warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.
He said,”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.
“Let me state clearly that no form of misconduct, abuse of authority, intimidation, harassment, extortion or extrajudicial use of power will be tolerated under any circumstance.”
The CP also appealed to residents of the territory to support security agencies with timely information, stressing that effective security requires collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.
“Security cannot succeed through the effort of security agencies alone. Sustained security can only be achieved through collective action, collaboration and mutual trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities we serve,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brig. Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, commended the initiative and urged members of the unit to justify the confidence reposed in them.
“I am aware of the efforts that the CP put in to ensure that your training was top-notch. To whom much is given, much is expected. You must justify that confidence that he has in you,” he said.
Onasanya described the unit as a force multiplier and expressed confidence that it would make a significant impact on security in the FCT.
“He has created this unit to serve as force multipliers and the FCT must feel your impact. Go out there and show them the stuff of which you are made of,” he charged.
The brigade commander assured the police of the military’s continued support, noting that soldiers were deployed across the FCT, including area councils, to assist security operations.
“We are always here to provide the necessary support and backing. We have established communication links and we are going to improve on it to ensure that our operations yield very positive results,” he said.
During the event, the FCT Police Command also presented a special commendation award to the Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, CSP Mustafa Mohammed, for his gallantry during a high-risk anti-kidnapping operation conducted in the Bwari area of the FCT on June 5, 2026.
Presenting the award, Onasanya described Mohammed as a dependable officer whose dedication had contributed significantly to joint security operations.
“This is a very reliable officer. Call him any time, day or night, and you can be sure he will respond,” he said.
The traditional institution also pledged support for the new initiative.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the FCT Council of Chiefs, the Ona of Abaji, Adamu Yunusa said the establishment of the VCRU was a timely response to growing security concerns.
“The establishment of the VCRU is not merely an addition to the security architecture of the Territory; it is a bold and timely declaration that violent crime will no longer find a foothold in our communities,” he said.
The traditional ruler assured the police of continued cooperation from community leaders in intelligence gathering and efforts to curb criminal activities across the territory.
On May 6, 2026, the Inspector-General of Police, announced the establishment of a new Violent Crime Response Unit as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The specialised unit was created to enhance the police’s ability to respond swiftly to violent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and other organised criminal activities, while improving intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness across commands nationwide.
