Kwara Police Launch Violent Crime Response Unit

The Kwara State Police Command has inaugurated a new Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as part of efforts to strengthen intelligence-driven policing and combat violent crimes across the state.

The inauguration took place on Thursday during a Stakeholders’ Interactive Town Hall Meeting held at the Police Officers’ Mess, GRA, Ilorin, marking the conclusion of a two-day capacity-building programme organised for officers of the newly established unit.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, also constituted members of the Civilian Oversight Board and officially unveiled the operational team of the VCRU, which will operate from A Division, Ilorin.

According to the police command, the initiative aligns with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, aimed at strengthening intelligence-led responses to violent crimes while deepening community-oriented policing nationwide.

The commissioner said the Unit has been specifically mandated to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven operations, while ensuring strict adherence to human rights standards, protection of lives and property, public accountability and community trust.

The programme also featured security awareness lectures delivered by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ishola Babatunde Baba-Ita, on “Public Safety and Security of the State,” and retired Superintendent of Police, A.M. Iwalaiye, who spoke on stakeholder cooperation in community security.

Goodwill messages were presented by several stakeholders, including the Senior Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Security, Aliyu Muyideen, alongside traditional rulers, youth groups, market leaders, transport union representatives and local vigilante organisations.

The interactive session provided residents and stakeholders the opportunity to raise concerns, make suggestions and discuss strategies for improving police-community relations and public safety in the state.

The police command urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.