Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Gombe State Police Command has unveiled a specialised Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to tackle the rising tide of kidnapping, armed robbery and other serious offences, as part of a nationwide police reform aimed at improving operational efficiency and public trust. The unit, announced by Commissioner of Police (CP) Umar Ahmed Chuso, is designed to operate as a proactive, intelligence‑driven force, responding swiftly to cases of kidnapping, robbery and other violent crimes. It represents a shift from traditional reactive policing to a more coordinated and preventive approach, according to officials.
Although similar units existed in the past, CP Chuso explained that the new VCRU has been “restructured to be more robust, coordinated, and responsive to emerging threats”. The Commissioner also confirmed that the unit would be fully impartial, responding to violent incidents arising from political activities, and that officers have been given clear directives to act decisively and without bias. This development follows the expiration of a 14‑day ultimatum issued by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to President Bola Tinubu, urging his intervention in the security crisis in Gombe State. While the Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s office has acknowledged the public’s safety concerns and pointed to investments in security infrastructure, the police command has moved ahead with its operational restructuring.
A key feature of the VCRU is its independent oversight board, chaired by the Emir of Yamaltu, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, and drawn from various segments of society. The board will provide objective feedback on the unit’s operations, enhancing accountability and community engagement. “The composition of the board cuts across all strata of society, and we expect to receive objective feedback based on their observations of the unit’s performance,” CP Chuso stated. The VCRU has a clearly defined operational scope. According to CP Chuso, the unit is expressly prohibited from mounting roadblocks or conducting routine stop‑and‑search operations, a measure aimed directly at addressing long‑standing public complaints about police excesses. “If any personnel are found engaging in such activities outside their mandate, the oversight board and members of the public are expected to report it,” he added.
The establishment of the VCRU in Gombe follows a directive by the Inspector‑General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to create such units across all state commands as part of a wider reform that also includes the dissolution of earlier tactical teams. The Abia State command, for example, has already announced a similar unit supported by a civilian oversight board comprising representatives from the traditional rulers council, human rights organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the Lagos State Police Command has appointed a commander for its newly created VCRU as part of the same nationwide reform. The nationwide reform has been widely welcomed by civil society groups as a potential step towards professionalising the force and restoring public confidence. However, analysts have cautioned that the effectiveness of these units will ultimately depend on adequate funding, logistical support, and a genuine commitment from commanders to enforce the new rules. The IGP’s directive has been widely welcomed by civil society groups as a potential step towards professionalising the force and restoring public confidence.
Residents of Gombe have expressed cautious optimism about the new unit. A business owner in the state capital who asked not to be named told this reporter, “We are tired of hearing about kidnappings and armed robberies. If this new unit can act quickly and stop these criminals, we will support them.” CP Chuso acknowledged pressing operational challenges, including a shortage of vehicles, communications equipment and other logistics that have historically hampered response times. “We are making use of available resources while expecting additional support from the government to fully optimise the unit’s effectiveness.”
The Violent Crime Response Unit is the latest in a series of security initiatives in the state, following a December 2025 security summit where Governor Inuwa Yahaya donated 50 operational vehicles to security agencies and called for stronger ties between the police and local communities. The Governor’s office has since issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to supporting the new police initiative, although it provided no specific timeline or budget for new equipment. The new VCRU will be expected to work closely with community intelligence networks, including local vigilante groups and hunters, who have played a crucial role in recent rescue operations and arrests.
CP Chuso called on residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence, emphasising that the success of the unit depends largely on public cooperation. “The success of the unit depends largely on public cooperation,” he said, urging citizens to report criminal activity via the dedicated VCRU hotlines, which will be published by the state police command. The Gombe State Government has urged citizens to make use of the police emergency numbers and to avoid taking the law into their own hands. As the VCRU begins its operations, the coming months will reveal whether a specialised, oversight‑driven approach can break the cycle of kidnapping and violent crime that has unsettled the state, and whether the promise of accountable policing can be translated into safety for ordinary citizens.
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