By George OPARA
The Imo State Police Command has officially demobilized the Tiger Base Unit and replaced it with the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, for effective response to violent crimes in the state.
Other tactical squads that were disbanded include Scorpion Unit and Lion Squad.
Spear News recalls that
the disbanded Tiger base , though one of the known tactical squads within the command, was riddled with floods of petitions and controversies predicated on how the unit was allegedly in maltreatment and extra-judicial killings of suspects at midnight.
While unveiling the new tactical squad at the Command Headquarters, Owerri, the State Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, said the new initiative is in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunj Rilwalu Disu, aimed at strengthening operational capacity and response to violent crimes across the federation.
The establishment of the VCRU, according to Bosso, became necessary following the disbandment of the former tactical units with animal symbols, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit popularly known as Tiger Base and others.
He further highlighted that VCRU also reflects the ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at deepening professionalism, accountability, and improved service delivery.
The police Commissioner, after inspection of the new Squad along with other Heads of Security Agencies and Stakeholders, said the inauguration of the new Unit further underscores the Command’s commitment to consolidating professional policing standards while improving public safety and security across the state.
Also, he pointed out that personnel of the Unit were carefully selected based on competence, discipline, integrity and operational experience.
“They have undergone rigorous specialised training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, crisis management, human rights compliance and professional conduct to ensure effective and lawful service delivery”.
In ensuring operational transparency and accountability, the Command also inaugurated the Civilian Oversight Board, COB, which will monitor the operations of the new Unit and report public complaints to the office of the Police Commissioner.
In his speech, the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented at the event by his Chief Principal Security Officer, Gboyako Shaba Adamu, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the State Government’s continued support for security agencies in maintaining law and order across the State.
The event which attracted top Government Officials, Heads of Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organizations, Community Leaders, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, was hailed as a welcome development to towards a policing strategy that would be based on rule of law and social justice.
It also featured the official unveiling of the VCRU logo, operational dress code and other activities as the Command used the occasion to urge members of the public to support the Unit with prompt and credible information.
The newly constituted Unit, according to a spokesperson of the Command, Henry Okoye, is mandated to proactively tackle violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms and other serious felonious offenses through intelligence-led policing and rapid response operations.
He also maintained that VCRU will strengthen collaboration with Communities and sister security agencies in its operations.
The Command reiterates its commitment to professional policing, protection of lives and property, and sustained peace and security across the State.
Stakeholders who participated in the event advised the newly formed Unit to operate with a human face and eschew actions capable of bringing the Unit to public rdisrepute.
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