Yobe police unveil special unit to combat violent crimes
Story by Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
Yobe State Police Command has launched a new specialised team designed to fill the security gap with a strict emphasis on intelligence, technology, and human rights.
The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) was officially commissioned by Governor Mai Mala Buni, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana.
The unit is tasked with tackling armed robbery, kidnapping, homicides, drug abuse, and organised crime across the state.
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Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Damaturu, Governor Buni said the new squad must operate swiftly and professionally while remaining fully within the law.
He added that the unit’s true measure of success would be whether citizens once again feel safe walking the streets.
The governor also highlighted his administration’s long term security investments.
In 2019, the state provided 30 Hilux vehicles, leading to the creation of the rapid response squad known as Operation Haba Maza.
According to him, in November 2025, Yobe distributed 47 four-wheel-drive vans and 50 motorcycles to security agencies and vigilante groups.
Governor Buni urged VCRU officers to protect citizens and uphold human rights, while calling on residents to promptly report any suspicious activity in their communities.
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Yobe State Police Commissioner, CP Usman Jibrin Kamfani, described the new unit as intelligence driven, technology based, and community oriented.
He noted that all personnel had undergone rigorous screening to ensure competence and integrity.
According to the commissioner, the VCRU takes directives from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to address the operational void left by the disbanded SARS and to advance professional policing standards across the country.
The launch signals a renewed focus on balancing effective crime fighting with public accountability, a challenge that will be closely watched by residents weary of both criminals and past police abuses.
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