After Delta killing, Police roll out new crackdown unit

Following the dismissal of officers linked to an alleged extra-judicial killing in Delta State, Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, has ordered disciplinary and operational reforms across the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), with the launch of a new elite tactical formation aimed at combating violent crime.

Speaking at an emergency conference with Commissioners of Police and the media in Abuja on Tuesday, the police chief said the Force would adopt “zero tolerance” for misconduct while strengthening accountability and community engagement nationwide.

Addressing the widely reported incident in Delta State on April 26, Disu described the killing of a suspect by police officers as “wrong, unlawful, and a violation of the sanctity of human life.”

He confirmed that the officer responsible, along with members of his team, had been dismissed from service, while the case file had been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for criminal proceedings.

“This matter will not be swept aside. Accountability will be pursued to its full and logical conclusion,” he said.

The IGP disclosed that the deceased suspect was found with a locally fabricated Beretta pistol and four rounds of 9mm ammunition, adding that investigations were still ongoing.

Despite the controversy, the police chief highlighted significant operational achievements recorded in April 2026 through intelligence-led operations.

According to him, police arrested 28 suspected terrorists, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 85 kidnapping suspects, and 54 suspected cultists within the month.

He added that 189 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 140 firearms and 1,074 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Police also retrieved 37 stolen vehicles during the period.

In a major structural reform, Disu announced the creation of a new formation, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to replace and upgrade existing Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units at the state level.

He said the VCRU represents “a fundamental shift” in policing strategy, with officers undergoing specialized training in tactical operations, intelligence analysis, human rights compliance, and rules of engagement.

“This is not a rebranding exercise. These are professional officers trained to modern standards,” he said.

The IGP emphasized that the new units would operate strictly on credible intelligence and be subject to structured oversight, including civilian accountability mechanisms.

State Commissioners of Police have been placed in direct command of the VCRU units and will be held accountable for their conduct and performance.

As part of efforts to rebuild public trust, Disu directed all state police commissioners to intensify community policing efforts through regular town hall meetings with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and market associations.

He also ordered commissioners to make their contact details available to community leaders to ensure direct communication and faster response to security concerns.

“Security intelligence flows from communities. When citizens trust the police, they share what they know—and that information saves lives,” he said, urging Nigerians to report suspicious activities.

The police boss said the Force had intensified retraining programmes focused on human rights, lawful use of force, and professional conduct.

He reaffirmed that the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) remains operational around-the-clock, encouraging citizens to report misconduct and urging the media to amplify awareness of the channel.

Disu acknowledged the circulation of past misconduct videos on social media, noting that while some cases had already been addressed, the Force was committed to rebuilding public confidence.

“I ask Nigerians to judge us by our actions going forward,” he said.

In a move to tighten internal controls, the IGP directed all state commands to immediately conduct a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition.

He said the exercise would enhance accountability, prevent misuse, and ensure accurate assessment of operational needs.

“This is not routine, it is critical to our readiness and integrity as a Force,” he stressed.

The police chief expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting police reforms and charged commissioners to lead with discipline and integrity.

“To the Nigerian people: we hear you. We are working. We are reforming. We are accountable,” Disu said.

He added that collaboration between citizens and law enforcement would be key to building “a safer, more just Nigeria where every person can live without fear.”