Police Launch Special Unit To Crush Criminals In Kano

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, has inaugurated a specialised Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

The commissioner, who spoke at the launch of the unit’s operational office in Kano, described the development as a major step towards enhancing public safety through intelligence-led and rapid-response policing.

Bakori said the unit, established on April 24, 2026, was in line with the directives of the inspector-general of police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and backed by provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

He explained that the VCRU is a specialised tactical team designed to respond swiftly to incidents of violent crime, prevent criminal activities through proactive deployment and ensure diligent investigation and prosecution of offenders.

“Our goal is to reduce response time, dominate the public space and deny criminals the freedom to operate,” he said.

The police boss said personnel of the unit were carefully selected based on competence and professionalism, adding that they had undergone rigorous training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, human rights compliance and professional conduct.

He assured the residents of the state that the unit’s operations would be guided by respect for human rights and accountability, stressing that he would personally oversee its conduct and performance.

To promote transparency, Bakori disclosed that a civilian oversight board comprising representatives of civil society organisations, traditional institutions, legal practitioners, and community groups had been constituted to monitor the unit’s activities.

He revealed that a dedicated complaints desk had been established at the unit’s headquarters to address public grievances promptly, while emergency hotlines have also been provided to facilitate swift response to distress calls.

According to him, the VCRU headquarters, located along Bank Road in Kano metropolis, was strategically positioned to ensure accessibility and effective coordination of operations across the state.

The commissioner called on the residents to support the initiative by providing credible information and assured them that all intelligence received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

He also commended the Kano State governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, for his continued support to the police command, noting that sustained collaboration between the government and security agencies remains critical to tackling crime in the state.