By Danjuma Amodu
Lokoja — The Kogi State Government on Thursday inaugurated a fully equipped Police Force Violent Crime Response Unit in Lokoja, pledging sustained investment in security to protect lives and property across the state.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu, said security remains a top priority of his administration, stressing that development can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment.
Unubi Emmanuel, Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, said the Governor noted that the VCRU had played a critical role in combating violent crimes in the state despite operating from a shared facility, which informed the decision to build and equip a modern operational base.
According to the Governor, the facility, fully funded by the Kogi State Government, contains ten offices, detention cells, a conference room, control room and uninterrupted power supply to ensure efficient operations.
Governor Ododo also disclosed that the state government provided the Unit with four Toyota Hilux operational vehicles, one Bullet-Proof Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carrier and three Toyota Sienna vehicles to boost its crime-fighting capacity.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising security and supporting security agencies across the country, describing the President’s efforts as instrumental to improving national security and public safety.
“Development can only thrive in a peaceful and secure environment.”
— Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by Deputy Governor Joel Salifu
The Governor equally pledged continued support for the Nigeria Police Force in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu. He said his administration has invested heavily in security through the provision of operational vehicles, communication gadgets, renovation of police formations, repair of Armoured Personnel Carriers, refurbishment of patrol vans and welfare support for officers.
Governor Ododo charged officers of the VCRU to serve with integrity, professionalism and courage, assuring the Nigeria Police Force of his administration’s unwavering partnership in securing the state.
He expressed confidence that the new facility and operational assets would significantly enhance the Unit’s capacity to prevent and respond swiftly to violent crimes across Kogi State.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, described the inauguration as a major step in strengthening the state’s security architecture. He said the VCRU was established in line with the reform-driven policing agenda of IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu to tackle emerging threats such as kidnapping, banditry, highway attacks and other violent crimes through intelligence-led operations and rapid response mechanisms.
He noted that officers selected for the Unit underwent rigorous screening and professional assessment to ensure only competent and disciplined personnel were deployed.
He appreciated the Governor for his immense support to security agencies and for providing the facility and logistics that made the operationalisation of the Unit possible. He stressed that the Unit would operate professionally, respect human rights and work closely with other security agencies and community stakeholders to improve public safety. He called on residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information, saying that security is a collective responsibility.
In his goodwill message, State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara rtd., said the government has recorded significant success in its fight against insecurity, assuring that the few criminal elements still attempting to raise their heads have their days numbered. He commended the Kogi State Police Command and other security agencies for their continued partnership with the government in keeping the state safe and peaceful.
