The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of 182 suspects, rescue of 31 kidnapped victims and recovery of 57 firearms, including 13 AK-47 rifles, following intelligence-led operations by its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
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The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during the formal launch of the unit’s headquarters at Golf Estate, off the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu.
Giwa spoke at the event, which was attended by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 13, comprising Anambra and Enugu states, AIG Miller Gajere Dantawaye, who represented the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The commissioner said the establishment of the VCRU was part of efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, terrorism and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven operations, professionalism and accountability.
According to him, the Inspector-General established the VCRU in April 2026 with clearly defined operational mandates, guidelines and oversight mechanisms to enhance the police response to violent crime.
He explained that the unit was mandated to investigate and suppress armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent offences, protect lives and property, and ensure that its operations comply with the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and applicable international human rights standards.
Giwa added that the unit was also expected to strengthen public confidence through community engagement, proper documentation of operations, transparency and accountability.
Providing a breakdown of the unit’s operational achievements, the commissioner disclosed that 182 suspects had been arrested in connection with various criminal offences.
Of the total, 40 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 38 for kidnapping and abduction, and 36 for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Another 68 suspects were arrested for cultism and drug-related offences.
He further revealed that 31 victims of kidnapping and abduction had been rescued through the unit’s operations.
The VCRU also recovered 57 assorted firearms, including 13 AK-47 rifles, alongside 669 rounds of assorted live ammunition.
Other recoveries included 44 vehicular exhibits comprising motor vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles.
Giwa said the operations had contributed to the command’s broader efforts to combat violent crime, adding that suspects had been arrested for prosecution and kidnapped victims rescued in the course of the unit’s activities.
He stressed that the VCRU would remain central to the command’s strategy for preventing and combating violent crime in Enugu State.
The commissioner disclosed that personnel deployed to the unit underwent profiling and vetting to establish their integrity and suitability for the sensitive assignment.
He said the officers also received training in human rights and professional conduct, including relevant Nigerian laws, the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, the principles governing the use of force and firearms, and social and emotional intelligence in policing.
According to him, the measures were designed to ensure that the unit carried out its duties professionally while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.
In a move aimed at promoting transparency and strengthening public trust, Giwa announced the establishment of a State VCRU Civilian Oversight Board comprising representatives of key stakeholder groups.
The board members are HRH Igwe Chinedu Nyia Nwobodo, representing the traditional institution; Mr Larry Ogwuego, civil society; Barrister Odo Venatious, Nigerian Bar Association; Mr Obinna Ogbuka, Nigeria Union of Journalists; Reverend Bright Alaribe, Police Community Relations Committee; and Comrade Ebuka Bartholomew Okoh, National Youth Council of Nigeria.
The commissioner said the board was responsible for providing civilian oversight, conveying community feedback and promoting accountability in the unit’s operations.
He added that the VCRU had also established a complaints desk headed by the State Media Liaison Officer to receive and address complaints relating to the unit’s activities.
The arrangement, he noted, was intended to create channels through which members of the public could raise concerns and contribute to improving police accountability.
Giwa explained that existing tactical squads whose responsibilities align with combating violent crime had been integrated into the VCRU as specialised sub-sections in line with the Inspector-General’s directive.
The sub-sections comprise the VCRU Crack Tactical Sub-Section, responsible for armed robbery, terrorism and related offences; the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Section, which handles kidnapping and related violent crimes; and the Anti-Cultism Sub-Section, responsible for cultism and associated offences.
The Monitoring/Media Sub-Section is responsible for operational monitoring, oversight of professional conduct, media liaison and related duties.
The commissioner identified CSP Henry Imo as the overall head of the VCRU; CSP Chukwuka Odum as head of the Anti-Kidnapping Sub-Section; DSP Isaac Odogwu as head of the Anti-Cultism Sub-Section; and ASP Godwins Ebuka Ebenezer as State Media Liaison Officer and head of the Monitoring/Media Sub-Section.
The police commissioner also expressed appreciation to the Enugu State Government, particularly Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for supporting the unit’s operations.
He said the state government had provided operational vehicles and other essential logistics to facilitate the effective discharge of the unit’s responsibilities.
Giwa described the collaboration as important to strengthening the command’s operational capacity and improving its response to security challenges across the state.
In his concluding remarks, the commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police for establishing the VCRU, describing the initiative as a demonstration of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling violent crime through intelligence-led operations, professionalism and accountability.
He reassured the Inspector-General, the Enugu State Government, security stakeholders and residents of the command’s determination to protect lives and property and intensify efforts against criminal activities.
The formal launch of the unit’s headquarters marks another step in the command’s efforts to strengthen its operational response to violent crime, with an emphasis on intelligence gathering, specialised tactical operations, respect for human rights and public accountability.
The command urged continued cooperation among security agencies, government institutions, community leaders and residents in the collective effort to sustain peace and security in Enugu State.
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