By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Police Command has officially launched its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to attend rising security threats in the state.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, while inaugurating the unit and its civilian governing Board on Saturday in Port Harcourt, noted that the establishment was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for the establishment of the unit across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He said the establishment of the unit was a deliberate response to prevailing security challenges, particularly armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country.
Adepoju added that the initiative also aims to rebuild public confidence, strengthen police-community relations and ensure that residents play active roles in the state’s security architecture.
The police commissioner explained that the civilian component of the unit is critical to its mandate, as the police cannot effectively combat violent crime without the cooperation, trust and support of members of the public.
He noted that community members were often the first to observe suspicious activities, identify emerging security threats and provide information that could assist law enforcement agencies.
Adepoju explained that the civilian component would provide a structured platform for community leaders, civil society organisations, members of the legal profession, traditional institutions and other credible stakeholders to contribute to the unit’s operations.
He stressed that the initiative was not intended to transfer police responsibilities to civilians but to establish a trusted channel through which information, concerns, observations and feedback could be communicated responsibly.
The CP added that the civilian oversight board would promote police-community relations, provide feedback on the conduct and effectiveness of VCRU personnel, and facilitate the timely sharing of credible information on security threats, suspicious activities and violent crimes around the state.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Grant Ofor, described the launch of the unit and the inauguration of the oversight board as important steps towards improving security in the state.
Ofor said residents of the state deserved to go about their daily activities without fear.
He expressed hope that the unit would help prevent violent crimes and improve public safety, urging its personnel to discharge their duties with courage, discipline and professionalism.
“Be firm in confronting crime and fair in dealing with people,” he advised.
He also urged the civilian board members to discharge their responsibilities in a manner that would strengthen public confidence in the initiative, calling on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, business owners and other residents to support the police by providing credible information and promptly reporting of security concerns.
In his response, Commander of the unit, CSP Julian Wealth, said the unit’s mission was to prevent violent crimes where possible, respond swiftly when necessary, investigate professionally, rescue and protect lives, and ensure that perpetrators were brought to justice.
He said the unit was strategically positioned to combat and investigate serious and violent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence, terrorism, piracy, murder and other forms of organised violent criminality.
Also, chairman of the oversight board committee, Mr Innocent Nwakpudolu, a lawyer, assured that the committee would justify the confidence reposed in them by discharging their duties with fairness and integrity.
PH Spectator reports that traditional rulers including the Chairman of the Khana Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Suanu Baridam; the Rivers State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Dr Voke Emore; Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Operations and Finance and Administration; Assistant Commissioners of Police; Divisional Police Officers; tactical commanders; and heads of sister security agencies attended the inauguration.
