Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, on Thursday inaugurated a police force violent crime response unit (VCRU) in Lokoja, the state capital.
Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi commissioner for information and communications, said in a statement that the inauguration is part of the government’s sustained efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture and enhance the operational capacity of law enforcement agencies in tackling violent crimes.
Joel Salifu, deputy governor of Kogi state, who represented Ododo at the event, said security remains at the heart of the administration’s development agenda.
He said the facility demonstrates the government’s commitment to equipping security agencies with the tools and environment needed to effectively carry out their duties.
Ododo said the violent crime response unit has over the years demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in combating criminal activities across the state despite operating from a shared facility.
He noted that the increasing scope of the unit’s responsibilities necessitated the construction of a modern operational headquarters to support its expanding mandate.
The governor said the project includes 10 offices, detention cells, a conference room, a control room and an uninterrupted power supply system.
He also announced the provision of four Toyota Hilux vehicles, one bullet-proof Buffalo armoured personnel carrier (APC) and three Toyota Sienna vehicles to boost the unit’s rapid response and crime-fighting capacity.
Ododo reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in line with the policing vision of the inspector-general of police (IGP).
He said the state government has consistently invested in security through the provision of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, renovation of police formations, repair of APC, refurbishment of patrol vans and welfare support for security personnel.
Naziru Kankarofi, the commissioner of police in Kogi, described the unit as a “landmark achievement in the state’s collective efforts to combat crime and maintain public safety”.
The police commissioner said the unit was created to address kidnapping, banditry, highway robbery and other violent crimes through intelligence-led and rapid response operations.
He added that officers were rigorously screened and assessed to ensure only competent and disciplined personnel were selected.