The Kogi State Government on Thursday inaugurated the Police Force Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security and protect lives and property in the state.
Gov. Ahmed Ododo while inaugurating the VCRU in Lokoja, said security remains a top priority of his administration.
Ododo, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, stressed that development can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment.
He noted that the VCRU had played a critical role in combating violent crimes in the state despite operating from a shared facility.
The governor said the growing responsibilities of the Unit informed the government’s decision to construct and equip a modern operational base for its activities.
According to him, the facility, fully funded by the state government, contains ten offices, detention cells, a conference room, control room and uninterrupted power supply to ensure efficient operations.
Ododo also disclosed that the state government provided the Unit with four Toyota Hilux operational vehicles, one Bullet-Proof Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carrier and three Toyota Sienna vehicles to boost its crime-fighting capacity.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising security and supporting security agencies across the country, noting that the President’s efforts was instrumental to improving national security and public safety.
The governor equally pledged continued support for the Nigeria Police Force in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
He said that his administration has invested heavily in security through the provision of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, renovation of police formations, repair of Armoured Personnel Carriers, refurbishment of patrol vans and welfare support for officers.
Ododo charged officers of the VCRU to serve with professionalism and courage, assuring the Police of his administration’s unwavering partnership in securing the state.
He expressed confidence that the new facility and operational assets would significantly enhance the Unit’s capacity to prevent and respond swiftly to violent crimes across the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Naziru Kankarofi, described the inauguration of the Unit as a major step in strengthening the state’s security architecture.
Kankarofi said the VCRU was established to tackle emerging security threats such as kidnapping, banditry, highway attacks and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations and rapid response mechanisms.
He noted that officers selected for the Unit underwent rigorous screening and professional assessment to ensure only competent and disciplined personnel were deployed.
Kankarofi appreciated the state government for the immense support to security agencies and for providing the facility and logistics that made the operationalisation of the Unit possible.
The commissioner of police promised that the Unit would operate professionally, respect human rights and work closely with other security agencies and community stakeholders to improve public safety.
He appealed to residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, saying that security is a collective responsibility.
