Nigeria's IGP sets up Violent Crime Response Units, orders CPs to restructure tactical units in states

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has established the Violent Crime Response Unit in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to tackle rising cases of serious crimes.

The establishment of the new Violent Crime Response Unit is designed to serve as a strategic, specialized, and rapid-response strike force against violent crimes nationwide.

Police sources in Abuja confirmed that the unit is part of major restructuring of police tactical teams aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and tackling kidnapping and banditry.

The unit is aimed at combating armed robbery, kidnappings, murder, and cultism, with a focus on intelligence-led operation.

It is confirmed that commanders of the new units have been selected and summoned to Abuja, the Police Headquarters to be briefed on the operational procedure of the new unit.

The team of the IGP commanders of the unit were launched by IGP Disu on Wednesday 29th April 2026 at Force Headquarters Abuja Peace keeping Hall Louis Edet House.

In Bayelsà State, CSP Chris Nwaogbo has been named the Commander of the new unit.

He was the commander of the Operation Restore Peace otherwise known as Operation Puff Adder.

It was also gathered that with the establishment of the new unit, the GP has ordered the dismantling of various existing, non-specialized tactical units at state command levels to make way for this new, streamlined structure.

The IGP also warned against the misuse of power, emphasizing that the new units must operate within the confines of human rights and professionalism.

Senior Police Sources also confirmed to newsmen in Abuja that the IGP has ordered a full-scale upgrade of all police forensic laboratories and digital resource centers to support investigations with technology.

Also the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) is updating the national criminal database to aid in identification and intelligence-driven policing.

The Police Mobile Force (PMF) is being reorganized to return to its original mandate of handling riots and violent threats, with personnel being withdrawn from non-core duties like VIP escort.

These actions reflect a push by the new IGP to modernize the Force and increase accountability.