IGP Scraps SWAT Nationwide, Deploys Violent Crime Response Units with Civilian Oversight

The Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olatunji Disu, has announced a major operational overhaul within the Nigeria Police Force with the immediate scrapping of the Special Weapons and Tactics teams nationwide and the deployment of new Violent Crime Response Units across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Disu disclosed the sweeping reform on Tuesday during an emergency meeting with Commissioners of Police and senior officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, stating that the newly established VCRUs would replace SWAT and operate under stricter oversight mechanisms.

According to the IGP, the units evolved from the structure of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and will function under the direct supervision of state Commissioners of Police, who will bear full responsibility for their conduct and operational outcomes.

He explained that officers assigned to the VCRUs have undergone intensive training in tactical operations, intelligence gathering, human rights compliance, and rules of engagement. Their deployment, he stressed, will be strictly guided by credible intelligence and not arbitrary.

A critical feature of the reform is the integration of civilian oversight into the operations of the VCRUs to ensure transparency and accountability. “Critically, civilian oversight has been built into the operational framework of the VCRU from the very beginning. These units will operate strictly on the basis of credible intelligence, and their operations will be subject to structured review,” Disu said.

The police chief emphasised that the restructuring is not merely cosmetic. “This is not a rebranding exercise. The VCRU represents a fundamental shift in how we approach serious crime in Nigeria,” he stated.

Speaking during the briefing, Disu also condemned the recent extra-judicial killing of a suspect in Effurun, Delta State, describing the act captured in a viral video as unlawful and a gross violation of professional policing standards. “That act was wrong. It was unlawful. It violated the sanctity of human life and the professional standards of this Force,” he said.

He confirmed that the officer involved, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police Nuhu Usman, along with members of his team, had been dismissed from service, while the case file has been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for legal action.

“The Nigeria Police Force under my leadership has zero tolerance for extra-judicial actions. Accountability will be pursued to its logical conclusion,” Disu vowed.

As part of broader reforms, the IGP ordered an immediate and comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition across all police commands, describing it as a critical step toward preventing misuse and improving operational readiness. “I hereby direct all Commissioners of Police to immediately undertake a comprehensive audit of arms and ammunition within their respective Commands. This exercise must be thorough, transparent, and properly documented,” he directed.

On community policing, Disu instructed Commissioners to engage regularly with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society groups to build trust and enhance intelligence gathering. He also ordered that Commissioners make their contact details accessible to community leaders to strengthen communication channels.

Highlighting recent achievements, the police chief revealed that in April 2026 alone, the Force arrested 28 suspected terrorists, 85 kidnapping suspects, 51 murder suspects, 62 armed robbery suspects, and 54 individuals linked to cultism. He added that 189 kidnapped victims were rescued nationwide within the same period.

Police operations also led to the recovery of 140 assorted firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition, and 37 stolen vehicles.

Reaffirming his commitment to internal reforms, Disu urged officers to uphold professionalism and integrity while assuring Nigerians of the Force’s resolve to rebuild public trust and ensure safety across the country.

He directed that the rollout of the VCRUs in each state be conducted publicly with the involvement of community leaders, religious leaders, and the media. “Nigerians should know that this unit exists, what it stands for and how to hold it accountable,” he added.