The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has announced the scrapping of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and the creation of a new Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) as part of ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
Disu announced the reform on Tuesday during an emergency conference with senior police officers, including members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the police said the meeting was convened to address critical national security concerns, reinforce accountability and issue fresh operational directives nationwide.
VCRU Replaces SWAT
The IGP said the newly established VCRU would serve as a restructured tactical formation designed to improve police response to serious and violent crimes across the country.
According to him, the unit will operate strictly on intelligence-based deployment and will be guided by specialised training, human rights compliance and stronger accountability measures.
He added that Commissioners of Police would bear direct responsibility for oversight of the unit in their respective commands.
SWAT was introduced in 2020 following the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) after the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
Delta Killing Incident
At the conference, Disu also addressed the recent extra-judicial killing incident in Delta State, describing the act as unlawful and inconsistent with the values of the Force.
He confirmed that the officers involved had been dismissed from service and recommended for criminal prosecution.
The police chief reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that no officer is above the law.
April Operations Yield Arrests, Recoveries
The IGP also disclosed that intelligence-led operations carried out nationwide in April 2026 resulted in the arrest of 28 suspected terrorists, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, 85 kidnapping suspects and 54 suspected cultists.
He added that 189 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 140 firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition and 37 stolen vehicles were recovered.
Push for Community Policing
Disu further directed Commissioners of Police nationwide to strengthen community policing through regular town hall meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups.
He also ordered police commissioners to make their contact details accessible to community leaders to improve communication and public trust in policing.
The IGP said the ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force are aimed at promoting professionalism, discipline, human rights compliance and public accountability.
