By George Coben, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command has launched its newly established violent crime response unit, with the ceremony held at the police officers mess on Tuesday.
The launch was with the theme, “Enhancing accountability, strengthenening public trust, and promoting professionalism in policing”.
The VCRU was established under the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to enhance the command’s capacity for swift, intelligence-driven, and coordinated responses to violent crimes.
Such crimes include armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, and other threats to public safety.
The unit is equipped with specially trained personnel and modern operational resources to ensure rapid deployment and effective containment of security threats across the state.
Transparent, rigorous screening was conducted in the police command, to select personnel for the unit.
Officers were profiled, vetted, interviewed and assessed on operational competence, integrity and discipline, physical fitness, and understanding of human rights principles, which was why out of 116 officers screened 54 were found suitable to be deployed to the unit.
Speaking at the occasion, the commissioner of police, Mr Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and improved collaboration with government and the public to safeguard lives and property.
The CP who said that the launch was the beginning of a new commitment to professional policing, intelligence-driven operations, accountability, and community-oriented policing in the state, announced the appointment of CSP Abdurrazak Musa Padah as the pioneer commander of the unit.
He expressed confidence in his leadership and operational expertise to effectively drive the mandate of the unit.
Sani-Omolori-Aliyu also announced the establishment of a state VCRU Civilian Oversight Board, by the command, made up of judiciary, NBA, CSOs, religious and traditional institutions, community leaders, women and youths groups and other critical stakeholders.
While calling for public support, as he said that security is a collective responsibility, the CP expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for continuous support to security agencies and the IGP for visionary leadership, commitment to police reform, and determination to build a trustworthy police force.
The launch was attended by representatives of the Bauchi State Government, the Emir of Bauchi, other traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of sister security agencies, members of the host community, and stakeholders from CSOs, including the state coordinator, national human rights commission.
There were goodwill messages from them which centered on being satisfied for the development and assurances given to support the unit and the command at large.
Highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of the violent crime response unit base, known as Hawk base.
