By Daily Review Online
The Imo State Police Command has disbanded the controversial Anti-Kidnapping Unit known as Tiger Base and replaced it with a new tactical formation called the Violent Crime Response Unit aimed at tackling violent crimes across the state.
The decision, announced at the command headquarters in Owerri, also affected other tactical squads, including the Scorpion Unit and Lion Squad, whose activities were closely associated with Tiger Base.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new unit, Audu Garba Bosso said the restructuring followed directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to reform tactical policing operations nationwide and strengthen professionalism within the force.
According to the police commissioner, the newly established VCRU will concentrate on intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, terrorism, illegal arms possession and other violent crimes.
Bosso explained that officers deployed to the new unit were selected based on discipline, competence, integrity and operational experience. He added that the operatives had undergone specialised training in intelligence gathering, tactical response, crisis management and human rights compliance.
In a move aimed at improving public confidence, the command also inaugurated a Civilian Oversight Board made up of representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations, religious groups, traditional institutions and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The board will monitor the activities of the VCRU, receive public complaints and provide independent feedback to the police authorities.
Hope Uzodinma, represented by ACP Gboyako Shaba Adamu, commended the reform and pledged continued support for security agencies in the fight against insecurity in the state.
The scrapping of Tiger Base is widely seen as a major policing reform following years of public complaints and allegations of human rights abuses linked to the disbanded unit.