By Torkuma Gbor
T
he Cross River State Police Command has scrapped all existing tactical squads in the state, including the Dragon Squad, Rapid Response Squad and Anti-Cultism Squad, and replaced them with a newly created Violent Crimes Response Unit (VCRU).
The Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, announced the development on Friday during the inauguration of the VCRU in Calabar.
He said the move followed directives from the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to restructure tactical policing operations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Afegbua said the newly established unit would operate across the three senatorial districts of the state and would focus on intelligence-driven operations in line with modern policing standards.
According to the police commissioner, the newly established VCRU is aimed at improving professionalism, accountability and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
He disclosed that officers selected into the unit underwent screening and profiling by a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Abubakar Arugungu Ibrahim.
Afegbua announced the appointment of Titus Udofia, a Chief Superintendent of Police, as commander of the VCRU. He noted that the new squad would operate across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The commissioner explained that members of the unit had received training on human rights, constitutional rights, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and international standards guiding the use of force by law enforcement officers.
He stated that operations of the VCRU would be intelligence-driven, stressing that officers would not be permitted to embark on random raids or appearance-based operations without credible and documented intelligence approved by the command.
Afegbua also said officers of the unit would operate in official police uniforms bearing the VCRU insignia during normal operations, while undercover assignments would only be permitted under authorised circumstances.
On arrests and detention procedures, he stressed that all operations must comply with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The police commissioner further announced the establishment of a State Civilian Oversight Board to monitor the unit’s relationship with the public and promote transparency.
The board includes Ntui Ogar as chairman, Remi O. Aduga as vice chairman, Thompson Saviour as secretary, and Emmanuel Olayi as member.
According to Afegbua, the board would serve as a bridge between the police and the public by receiving feedback from citizens and observing the general conduct of the unit, although it would not interfere in police disciplinary or operational matters.
He added that the command would seek support and funding from the Cross River State Government to ensure effective operation of the VCRU, including provision of equipment, vehicles, facilities and personnel welfare.