Lagos CP Unveils VCRU Operational Base, Warns Officers Against Harassment
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, on Thursday inaugurated the renovated operational base of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), charging its personnel to combat violent crimes professionally while respecting the rights of residents.
Speaking during the inauguration of the VCRU base and the presentation of operational vehicles by Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) at Otto, Ijora, Tijani said the VCRU was established to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to violent crimes and enhance public safety across the state.
He stressed that the unit was created to tackle serious crimes and not to intimidate, harass or extort members of the public.
“The VCRU is not a unit of harassment, intimidation or unlawful conduct. Every officer must carry out his or her duties with discipline, professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights of citizens,” he said.
The commissioner warned that any officer found engaging in misconduct or violating the rights of members of the public would face disciplinary action.
Tijani said the success of policing depended on intelligence gathering and collaboration with residents, urging Lagosians to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
He noted that security was a collective responsibility and called on communities to see the police as partners in ensuring peace and public safety.
According to him, the VCRU is one of the visionary initiatives of
the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, established as part of proactive measures to combat violent crimes and criminality across the country.
He also appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, for providing logistics, tactical vehicles and other operational equipment to strengthen policing in the state.
According to him, the continued support from the state government and other stakeholders has significantly enhanced the command’s operational capacity and ability to respond swiftly to security threats.
The commissioner urged personnel of the newly inaugurated unit to justify the confidence reposed in them by serving with integrity, courage and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, operational excellence and community partnership, expressing confidence that the VCRU would play a critical role in reducing violent crime and making Lagos safer for residents and businesses.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Ogunsan, described Lagos as Nigeria’s safest state, attributing the feat to sustained investment in security and strong collaboration among stakeholders.
He assured the VCRU of the trust fund’s support, announcing the donation of seven tactical vehicles and other operational equipment to enhance the unit’s operational effectiveness.
He also disclosed that the trust fund
had supplied more than 1,200 police raincoats, other operational equipment to the command to improve the welfare and effectiveness of officers serving in Lagos.
Ogunsan said Lagos remained an ideal environment for innovative security initiatives to thrive, noting that agencies such as the Rapid Response Squad and the Lagos State Task Force, established by the state, had become models for others across the country.
He expressed confidence that the newly established VCRU would follow the same path and emerge as one of the state’s leading crime-fighting units.
The LSSTF boss urged residents and the private sector to continue supporting the trust fund through donations, stressing that sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies and the public remains key to combating crime and keeping Lagos safe.
Earlier, the Officer in Charge of the VCRU, CSP Oyin Oremosu, assured residents that the unit would carry out its duties with courage, discipline, integrity and professionalism while upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights.
Oremosu said the VCRU was established to combat violent crime through intelligence-led policing, prompt response and effective investigations, stressing that the unit’s success would depend on the continued support and cooperation of the public.
He also appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders for their support in strengthening security in the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olalekan Adigun, commended the command for establishing the VCRU and involving young people in its policing initiatives.
He described the unit as a strategic step towards tackling violent crime and pledged the support of the youth council in partnering with the police to enhance security in the state.
Adigun urged officers of the VCRU to operate professionally and respect the rights of young people, stressing that they should protect, rather than harass or victimise, residents.
He expressed confidence that continued collaboration between the police and the public would enhance safety across Lagos.
Ogunsan presented seven tactical operational vehicles and other operational assets to the VCRU to enhance its crime-fighting capacity.
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