Ibadan – In furtherance of ongoing reforms and strategic repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), npm, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, earlier today declared open a specialized and rigorous training exercise for officers selected for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a tactical outfit introduced to replace the erstwhile tactical teams across the country.
The Commissioner of Police noted that the creation of the VCRU is aimed at strengthening operational effectiveness through intelligence-led policing, professionalism, accountability, and strict adherence to global best practices, while also ensuring adequate protection of citizens’ rights in the discharge of policing duties. In line with this objective, the Command carefully selected seventy-five (75) officers comprising both male and female personnel drawn from the officer cadre and rank-and-file across Divisions, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), and other formations within the Command.
He further disclosed that the officers were subjected to thorough administrative scrutiny, intelligence and background checks, as well as psychological vetting processes before being considered suitable for the training programme, a measure deliberately put in place to ensure that only competent, disciplined, and emotionally stable personnel are entrusted with the responsibilities of the specialized unit.
Consequently, the selected officers are currently undergoing an intensive training programme at the 4 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Ibadan, where they are being exposed to advanced tactical drills, operational intelligence, crime response techniques, and community-oriented policing strategies designed to sharpen their operational competence and improve their ability to effectively respond to violent crimes and other emerging security threats within the State.
The Commissioner of Police added that the training exercise will not only test the officers physically and mentally but will also serve as a final assessment stage, as participants would, upon completion of the exercise, undergo written examinations, drug integrity tests, and further psychological evaluations. According to him, only officers who attain commendable performances and demonstrate exceptional professionalism would eventually be drafted into the Violent Crime Response Unit.
While formally declaring the training open, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga charged the participants to remain disciplined, focused, and committed throughout the duration of the exercise. He urged them to see the opportunity as a call to higher responsibility and to conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force, capable of making their families, the Command, and the nation proud through exemplary service delivery.
The CP equally reiterated the commitment of the Oyo State Police Command towards ensuring that the activities of the unit remain strictly guided by the rule of law, respect for human rights, professionalism, and accountability, emphasizing that the Command would continue to align its operational strategies with internationally accepted policing standards.
In his remarks shortly after the opening ceremony, the Commander-designate of the unit appreciated the Inspector-General of Police for the confidence reposed in the Command and the selected officers, assuring that the personnel would justify the trust placed in them through dedication, discipline, and professionalism. He further reiterated that the officers were carefully chosen based on competence, integrity, and suitability for the assignment, while pledging that the unit would operate strictly in line with global best practices and the vision behind its establishment.
The Oyo State Police Command therefore reassures members of the public of its unwavering commitment towards ensuring the safety of lives and property across the State through proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-based policing initiatives aimed at sustaining public confidence and enhancing internal security.
For Emergencies, Contact:
Oyo State Call Response Center Toll-Free Line: 615.
Oyo State Police Command Control Room: 08081768614 & 07055495413.
