The Oyo State Police Command has commenced a specialized training programme for officers selected into the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a tactical outfit created to replace former tactical teams across the country.
Declaring the training open on Monday in Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, said the initiative was part of ongoing reforms and strategic repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to the commissioner, the VCRU was designed to strengthen intelligence-led policing, professionalism, accountability and adherence to global best practices, while also protecting citizens’ rights during police operations.
Olugbenga disclosed that 75 officers, comprising male and female personnel drawn from divisions, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and other formations within the command, were carefully selected for the exercise.
He explained that the officers underwent administrative screening, intelligence and background checks, as well as psychological evaluations before being admitted into the programme.
The selected personnel are currently undergoing intensive training at the 4 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Ibadan, where they are receiving instruction in advanced tactical drills, operational intelligence, crime response techniques and community-oriented policing strategies.
The police commissioner stated that the exercise would serve as both training and a final assessment stage for the officers, adding that participants would also undergo written examinations, drug integrity tests and further psychological evaluations before final selection into the unit.
“Only officers who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and commendable performance will eventually be drafted into the Violent Crime Response Unit,” he said.
CP Olugbenga charged the officers to remain disciplined, focused and committed throughout the programme, urging them to see the opportunity as a call to higher responsibility and exemplary service.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring that the activities of the unit are guided by the rule of law, respect for human rights and accountability in line with internationally accepted policing standards.
In his remarks, the Commander-designate of the unit thanked the Inspector-General of Police for the confidence reposed in the command and the selected officers, assuring that the personnel would justify the trust through dedication, discipline and professionalism.
The Oyo State Police Command also reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive, intelligence-driven and community-based policing initiatives aimed at enhancing security across the state.
The command advised residents to contact its emergency lines — the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free line 615, and the control room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413 — in cases of emergency.
