New Police Unit to Combat Kidnapping in Nigeria Announced

In Enugu State, authorities have revealed plans to introduce a new police unit dedicated to combating the increasing incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent criminal activities within the state.

According to Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson for Enugu State, the formation of this new unit, named the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), is in response to a directive from the Inspector-General (IGP) of Police, Olatunji Disu. This move is part of ongoing efforts to bolster the police's capacity in combating violent crimes throughout the state.

Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, stated that the VCRU has been tasked with the primary responsibility of investigating, responding to, and suppressing violent offenses such as armed robbery and kidnapping. These operations are expected to be conducted using methods that are strictly guided by intelligence.

The police spokesperson further elaborated that the VCRU will operate in strict adherence to constitutional mandates, the Nigeria Police Act of 2020, and international human rights standards. The unit is designed to be accountable and to foster a trusting relationship between the police and the public.

PREMIUM TIMES has learned that the establishment of the VCRU is slated to occur across all police commands nationwide.

In Enugu State, the former Crack Tactical Base located at Golf Estate has been designated as the operational headquarters for the new VCRU. The unit commander appointed is CSP Henry Imo, with ASP Godwin Ebuka Ebenezer serving as the state media liaison officer.

Ndukwe also mentioned that police officers selected for the VCRU have undergone rigorous training in human rights, social, and emotional intelligence to enhance their professional conduct and interactions with the public, as directed by the IGP.

A dedicated Complaint Response Desk has been set up for the VCRU, with the phone number 08039382015 provided for citizens to submit any complaints regarding the unit's personnel.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, has urged the VCRU operatives to uphold their core responsibilities and adhere to established standard operating procedures, ahead of the formal launch by the IGP.

Commissioner Giwa reassured the residents of Enugu State about the police's commitment to eradicating violent crime and urged continued support and cooperation from the public to aid security agencies in their efforts.

Recent times have seen a significant rise in kidnapping incidents across Nigeria, with various individuals including civil servants, business proprietors, politicians, and students becoming targets.

Kidnapping is a criminal offense in Nigeria, and the country's Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 explicitly prohibits all forms of abduction. This law stipulates the death penalty for kidnapping cases resulting in fatalities and life imprisonment for those without loss of life.

The Act superseded the previous Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2013, which had a penalty of a 10-year prison sentence for kidnapping. Under the current legislation, paying ransom to secure the release of kidnap victims can result in a minimum of a 15-year jail term.