NIGERIA POLICE FORCE | OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE | FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
CONFIDENTIAL
FOR COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE ONLY
NIGERIA POLICE FORCE
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja
CIRCULAR REF:
IGP/CIRCULAR/VCRU/001/2026
DATE:
April 2026
CLASSIFICATION:
CONFIDENTIAL
DISTRIBUTION:
All 36 State Commissioners of Police and FCT Commissioner of Police
SUBJECT:
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VIOLENT CRIME RESPONSE UNIT (VCRU) IN ALL STATES OF THE FEDERATION AND THE FCT
1. PREAMBLE
I write to you as the Inspector General of Police with a clear sense of mission, urgency, and personal commitment to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force into an institution that Nigerians can trust, respect, and rely upon for their safety.
As a former Commander of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, I write with the authority of someone who has seen this mandate from within. I know what that unit was designed to achieve. I also know where it failed the Nigerian people. This circular is my personal commitment that we will never go back to that failure.
The dissolution of SARS in October 2020, following widespread public outcry and international condemnation, was a defining moment in the history of this Force. It was a moment of national reckoning. Not because the original mandate of SARS was wrong, but because the institution lost its way, lost its discipline, lost its humanity, and ultimately lost the confidence of the very people it was created to protect.
The subsequent establishment of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) failed to restore public confidence because it was perceived, rightly, as a renaming exercise without genuine structural reform. Nigerians are intelligent. They will not accept cosmetic change. They demand, and deserve, real transformation.
I am determined to deliver that transformation. This circular is the beginning.
2. THE VISION OF THIS INSPECTOR GENERAL
My vision is a Nigeria Police Force that is professional, humane, accountable, and effective. A Force that fights crime without becoming a criminal institution itself. A Force where the uniform commands respect, not fear. A Force where communities cooperate with officers because they trust them, not because they are afraid of them.
The security situation across Nigeria demands an urgent, structured, and intelligence-driven response to armed robbery, kidnapping, and violent crime. We cannot afford to wait. Lives are being lost. Communities are being terrorised. The economy is being strangled by insecurity. This IGP will not preside over inaction.
At the same time, I am equally determined that our response to crime will never itself become a source of oppression. Every officer must understand that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international human rights law are not obstacles to policing. They are the foundation upon which legitimate policing is built.
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VIOLENT CRIME RESPONSE UNIT (VCRU)
By the authority vested in me as Inspector General of Police under the Nigeria Police Act 2020, I hereby direct the immediate establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in every state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Note: The name Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has been adopted for this circular. The Inspector General of Police invites the Strategic Police Leadership Team to recommend an alternative name should a more suitable designation be identified before the official launch. Any such recommendation must be submitted to this office within seven days of receipt of this circular.
The VCRU is established with the following core mandate:
* To investigate, respond to, and suppress armed robbery, violent crime, kidnapping, and related offences through strictly intelligence-driven operations.
* To protect the lives and property of all Nigerians within the respective state of operation
* To operate at all times in full compliance with constitutional provisions, the Nigeria Police Act 2020, and applicable international human rights standards
* To serve as a bridge of trust between the Nigeria Police Force and the communities it serves
* To document, report, and be publicly accountable for all its activities
The VCRU is NOT:
* A rebranding of SARS or SWAT
* A unit authorised to mount arbitrary roadblocks or conduct random stop and search operations
* A unit that may profile citizens based on appearance, dress, vehicle type, hairstyle, tattoos, or possession of electronic devices
* A unit above accountability or public trust
4. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Each Commissioner of Police is hereby vested with full responsibility for the establishment, conduct, performance, and public image of the VCRU within their state. This responsibility is personal, direct, and non-delegable.
Specifically, each CP shall:
1. Identify and appoint a suitable Commander for the state VCRU. The Commander must be of proven integrity, operational competence, and demonstrated commitment to human rights. The CP assumes personal accountability for this appointment.
2. Secure a dedicated, permanent, and identifiable base of operations for the VCRU within the state. The base must be official, accessible, and known to the public.
3. Select VCRU members through a rigorous and transparent process as specified in Section 5 of this Circular.
4. Ensure that the VCRU operates exclusively on the basis of credible intelligence. No operation shall be conducted without documented intelligence justification.
5. Submit required reports to Force Headquarters in accordance with the reporting framework in Section 8 of this Circular.
6. Ensure that the VCRU's achievements, operations, and conduct are publicly communicated through the state media liaison framework established under Section 9 of this Circular.
Any Commissioner of Police whose state VCRU is found to have violated the principles of this Circular, engaged in conduct reminiscent of SARS, or brought the Force into disrepute shall face full disciplinary proceedings under the Nigeria Police Act 2020. Ignorance of the conduct of your state unit will not be accepted as a defence.
5. MEMBERSHIP, PROFILING, AND VETTING
The integrity of the VCRU begins with its membership. No officer shall be posted to or serve in the VCRU without passing through the full vetting and profiling process prescribed below. This is mandatory and without exception.
5.1 Eligibility Criteria
* Minimum of three years of active operational service in the Nigeria Police Force
* Clean disciplinary record with no sustained complaints of brutality, extortion, or misconduct
* Demonstrated physical fitness and operational competence
* Former SWAT operatives with verifiably clean service records are eligible and are encouraged to apply
* Willingness to submit to ongoing performance review and accountability assessment
5.2 Vetting and Profiling Process
* Full background check coordinated between the state CP and the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID)
* Community integrity check: confirmation from the officer's last duty station that no unresolved complaints exist
* Biometric profiling and registration of all VCRU members with Force Headquarters
* All profiling data to be submitted to and retained at Force Headquarters for national oversight
5.3 Ongoing Review
Vetting is not a one-time exercise. All VCRU members shall be subject to regular checks as directed by the state CP and coordinated with Force Headquarters. Any member against whom a sustained complaint is upheld shall be immediately removed from the VCRU pending disciplinary proceedings.
6. OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK AND STANDARDS
6.1 Intelligence-Based Operations
All VCRU operations shall be intelligence-driven. No operation shall be initiated without documented, credible intelligence authorised by the VCRU Commander and known to the state CP. Spontaneous, random, or appearance-based operations are strictly prohibited. Also, CPs may direct cases of robbery from other divisions to the VCRU.
6.2 Uniform, Identification, and Vehicles
All VCRU officers shall wear the prescribed police uniform bearing the VCRU insignia during standard operations. Where intelligence-led undercover operations are authorised , officers may operate in plain clothes and use unmarked vehicles for the specific duration and purpose of that operation. Such authorisation shall be documented and retained on record. Outside of formally authorised undercover assignments, all VCRU personnel and vehicles shall be clearly identified in accordance with Force standards.
6.3 Arms and Use of Force
VCRU officers shall undergo mandatory marksmanship training before deployment. The use of firearms shall be governed strictly by the Force Rules of Engagement. Discharge of a firearm in the line of duty shall be reported in writing to the CP within 24 hours and to Force Headquarters within 48 hours. Officers must adhere to Force order 237, which governs the use of fire arms.
6.4 Arrest and Detention
All arrests by VCRU officers shall comply fully with Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
7. HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING: A NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENT
I wish to be unambiguous on this point. Human rights training is not optional, not secondary, and not a formality. It is the cornerstone of what distinguishes the VCRU from what came before.
Every VCRU officer, from the Commander to the most junior member, shall complete a mandatory Human Rights and Professional Conduct Training Programme before deployment. This programme shall cover:
* Constitutional rights of citizens under the 1999 Constitution as amended
* Provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015
* United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials
* United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials
* The prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under Nigerian and international law
* Lawful arrest, search, and detention procedures
* Rights of vulnerable persons, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and persons in mental health crisis
* Complaint procedures and the rights of citizens to make complaints against police officers
* Ethical conduct, anti-corruption, and the prohibition of extortion
Human rights training shall be refreshed annually for all VCRU members. Records of training shall be maintained by the state CP and submitted to Force Headquarters.
This IGP will hold every CP personally accountable for ensuring that human rights training is not treated as a checkbox exercise but as a genuine and ongoing commitment to professional policing.
8. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
One of the defining failures of SARS was its complete disconnection from the communities it was meant to serve. The VCRU will be rooted in community trust from the outset. Accountability to the public is not a burden on this Force. It is a strength.
8.1 State Civilian Oversight Board
Each state CP shall facilitate the establishment of a State VCRU Civilian Oversight Board comprising respected and independent representatives of civil society, traditional institutions, the legal profession and community leaders. The Board shall provide civilian visibility into the general conduct and community impact of the VCRU, receive and channel public feedback to the CP, and promote transparency in the VCRU's relationship with the communities it serves. The Board shall meet bi-anually and submit observations to the state CP, who shall respond in writing within 30 days. The Board exists to strengthen public confidence in the VCRU and to serve as a respected bridge between the Force and Nigerian society. It is not a disciplinary body and does not interfere with internal police command or operational decisions.
8.2 Collaboration with State Governors for Funding and Support
The effective operation of the VCRU requires dedicated resources, including suitable facilities, equipment, vehicles, and welfare support for personnel. Each Commissioner of Police is directed to engage their state Governor with a formal proposal for state government support and co-funding of the VCRU in their state.
This collaboration is both practical and strategic. State governments have a direct interest in the security of their citizens and the reduction of violent crime within their borders. The VCRU represents a credible, professionally structured response to that shared concern. Governors who invest in the VCRU invest in the safety and confidence of their people.
CPs shall approach their respective Governors through appropriate channels, presenting the VCRU framework, its mandate, its accountability structures, and the specific resource requirements of the state unit. A template proposal will be issued by Force Headquarters to support this engagement. All funding arrangements agreed with state governments shall be formally documented and reported to Force Headquarters.
8.3 Public Complaints Mechanism
Each state VCRU shall operate a publicised complaints hotline and a physical complaints desk at its base of operations. All complaints shall be logged and acknowledged within 24 hours. A summary of complaints received and actions taken shall be included in the Monthly Achievement Report to Force Headquarters.
8.4 Reporting to Force Headquarters
Each state CP shall submit to the Office of the Inspector General of Police a Monthly VCRU Achievement and Accountability Report covering the following:
* Number and nature of operations conducted
* Arrests made and charges filed
* Convictions secured
* Weapons and assets recovered
* Kidnap victims rescued
* Complaints received and actions taken
* Officers commended or disciplined, and the basis thereof
* Community engagement activities conducted
Force Headquarters shall collate all state reports and publish a National VCRU Quarterly Performance Report ranking all states by key performance indicators. This report shall be shared with all Commissioners of Police. High-performing states will be publicly recognised. States with performance concerns will be engaged directly by this office.
9. MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
The VCRU will succeed or fail in the court of public opinion as much as in the field. This IGP has seen firsthand what happens when a police unit has no positive public narrative. The public fills the vacuum with their worst experiences, and once trust is lost, it takes a generation to rebuild. We will not allow that to happen again.
9.1 State Media Liaison Officer
Each state CP shall designate a Media Liaison Officer specifically for the VCRU. This officer shall be responsible for issuing timely press statements following significant operations, engaging local journalists accurately, managing community feedback, and responding officially to all public allegations within 24 hours of such allegations becoming known.
9.2 Official Digital Presence
The VCRU shall maintain verified official social media accounts on major platforms. These accounts shall regularly publish operational achievements, training activities, community engagement programmes, and stories that demonstrate the VCRU's positive impact on communities. This digital presence shall be coordinated nationally by the Force New Media Officer, and managed at the state level by the designated Media Liaison Officer.
9.3 Community Scorecard
Quarterly, each state VCRU shall conduct a Community Satisfaction Assessment within its operational areas. Members of the public shall be invited to rate the VCRU's professionalism, conduct, and effectiveness. The results shall be published openly and shall form part of the state's quarterly performance report. No Nigerian police institution has ever committed to this level of transparency. The VCRU will be the first.
9.4 Prompt Response to Public Allegations
Any allegation of misconduct against a VCRU officer or unit that enters the public domain, whether through social media, print, or broadcast, must be officially acknowledged by the state CP or designated Media Liaison Officer within 24 hours. That acknowledgement is a commitment to investigate and respond with integrity. Silence on public allegations will be treated as a failure of leadership by the CP concerned.
10. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Given the severity of the current security situation across the nation, the establishment of the VCRU is to be treated as an operational emergency. The following mandatory timeline applies to all state commands with immediate effect from the date of this circular:
MILESTONE
REQUIRED ACTION
DAY 7
Each CP submits written confirmation to Force Headquarters that: (a) a VCRU Commander has been identified and briefed on this directive; and (b) a base of operations has been confirmed or is actively being secured.
DAY 14
Within fourteen (14) days of this directive, each State Command must have fully established and operationalised the VCRU. This includes the formal launch of the Unit, submission of the initial list of vetted and profiled personnel to Force Headquarters, and the designation and public announcement of the State Media Liaison Officer.
Additionally, Phase One of the mandatory Human Rights and Professional Conduct Training shall be completed for all VCRU personnel. The State Civilian Oversight Board shall be constituted with its inauguration scheduled, while the public complaints mechanism must be fully operational and widely publicised. The official VCRU social media presence for each State shall also be activated.
Failure to achieve any of the above within the stipulated fourteen (14) days, without prior written approval from this office, shall constitute a breach of this directive and will attract appropriate administrative consequences under the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
11. CLOSING WORDS FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Colleagues, I am under no illusion about the scale of what we are undertaking. Rebuilding public trust in a police institution that has been deeply wounded is not the work of a circular alone. It is the work of every officer, every day, in every interaction with every Nigerian.
But every transformation begins with a decision. This circular is that decision. The VCRU is not another unit. It is a statement of what the Nigeria Police Force intends to become: professional, humane, accountable, and worthy of the trust of 220 million Nigerians.
I speak to you not only as your IGP, but as someone who has commanded one of these units, who has seen its officers at their best and witnessed the consequences when the institution lost its moral compass. I carry that experience into every decision I make from this office. The VCRU is the right response, built on the right foundation, at the right time.
I am asking each of you, as Commissioners of Police, to be champions of this vision in your states. Not merely because I am watching, though I am, but because you know, as I do, that Nigeria deserves better. Our communities deserve to sleep safely. Our young people deserve to move freely without fear of those sworn to protect them. Our officers deserve to serve in an institution they can be proud of.
This is our moment. Let us not waste it.
I expect your full cooperation, your personal commitment, and your reports on schedule.
_____________
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
Nigeria Police Force
Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja
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