Police arrest 280 suspects, rescue 189 kidnap victims
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, yesterday said 280 suspected criminals were arrested and 189 kidnapped victims rescued nationwide, following intelligence-led operations conducted last month. Disu said the
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, yesterday said 280 suspected criminals were arrested and 189 kidnapped victims rescued nationwide, following intelligence-led operations conducted last month.
Disu said the arrests included 28 suspected terrorists, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 85 kidnapping suspects and 54 suspected cultists.
He gave the details at an emergency conference of Commissioners of Police and senior Force members in Abuja, adding that operatives recovered 140 assorted firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition and 37 stolen vehicles within the period.
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In a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening the fight against violent crimes, the IGP unveiled the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a newly restructured tactical formation.
“This is not a rebranding exercise. The VCRU represents a fundamental shift in how we approach serious crime in Nigeria,” Disu said, noting that officers deployed to the unit have undergone intensive and specialised training in tactical operations, intelligence analysis, human rights compliance and rules of engagement.
He emphasised that the unit would operate strictly on credible intelligence and under defined oversight mechanisms, including civilian accountability structures.
“They will not be deployed on speculation or prejudice. Their operations will be intelligence-driven and subject to structured review,” he stated, adding that Commissioners of Police would be directly responsible for the conduct and performance of the unit in their respective states.
