In a city where security has become both an economic necessity and a social imperative, Lagos on Thursday 2nd July, reinforced its determination to stay ahead of evolving criminal threats with the commissioning of the new Operational Base of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) at Ijora Olopa. Beyond unveiling another police formation, the event underscored a strategic shift towards intelligence-led, rapid-response policing designed to confront violent crime before it escalates and to preserve public confidence in Africa’s largest commercial hub.
The launch also reaffirmed the growing partnership between government, the private sector and community stakeholders in safeguarding Lagos. As insecurity continues to challenge many parts of Nigeria, Lagos chose to respond not with rhetoric but with investment. During the commissioning of a purpose-built operational base for the new tactical team VCRU; an initiative of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF donated Seven (7) fully equipped tactical vehicles to the VCRU, and presented One thousand (1,000) operational boots alongside One thousand two hundred (1,200) raincoats to the Lagos State Police Command to strengthen operational readiness.
The support was facilitated by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), whose Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, commissioned the new VCRU operational office alongside the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani before formally handing over the operational assets.
Addressing dignitaries, security chiefs, traditional rulers and members of the newly inaugurated civilian oversight board, Dr. Ogunsan declared emphatically that “Lagos is the safest state in Nigeria as it stands today. We are matchless, unparalleled and unequal.”
He attributed the state’s security successes to the deliberate commitment of the Executive Governor, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whom he said had “infused security into the bloodstream of virtually every arm of government in Lagos,” making security everyone’s responsibility rather than that of law enforcement agencies alone.
Describing Lagos as a fertile ground for innovative security initiatives, Ogunsan said the VCRU, an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, would receive unwavering support from the state. “Any idea you have security-wise, our soil is very fertile. The moment you plant it on the soil of Lagos, it will grow,” he said, assuring the Unit: “Don’t be afraid of funding. We will fund you. We will support you.”He immediately announced the donation of a brand-new generator to the Unit in addition to the seven tactical vehicles.
The LSSTF boss appealed to residents to reject misinformation and fake news capable of creating panic. “Nothing is burning in Lagos. Lagos is safe and secured,” he said, urging citizens to become security-conscious and report suspicious activities rather than circulate fake news.
Ogunsan also renewed his appeal for sustained public donations to the Trust Fund, explaining that the agency receives no statutory subvention from government.”We don’t get funds from the government. The only thing we get is donations—from market women, professionals, traditional rulers, corporate organisations and individuals. Whatever we receive, we give back to strengthen the security agencies.”
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani, described the VCRU as one of the visionary initiatives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Disu designed to provide rapid tactical response to violent crimes through intelligence-led operations and coordinated enforcement. He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu and the LSSTF for consistently investing in policing infrastructure and logistics.
“The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has remained a dependable partner in our collective pursuit of a safer and more secure Lagos,” the Commissioner said.While charging officers of the new Unit, Tijani stressed professionalism and accountability. “The VCRU was created to respond swiftly and professionally to violent crimes, not as a unit for harassment, intimidation or abuse of the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
Officer-in-Charge of the Unit, CSP Oyindamola Oremosu, assured Lagos residents that officers of the VCRU would discharge their responsibilities with “courage, discipline, integrity and utmost respect for the rule of law,” while urging citizens to continue providing timely intelligence because “security is a shared responsibility.”
Members of the newly constituted civilian oversight board echoed similar sentiments. They include the CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; Dr. Segun Awosanya (aka. Segalink), NYCN Lagos Chairman, Engr. Olalekan Ibrahim Adigun; Lagos PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde A Showemimo and others.
Human rights advocate Dr. Segun Awosanya (Segalink) described the commissioning as “a historic moment,” commending the Lagos Police Command for embracing intelligence-led policing and praising the LSSTF for sustaining police operations through strategic funding.
The Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Lagos, Apostle Kehinde A. Showemimo, hailed the civilian oversight structure as a progressive innovation that would strengthen accountability while protecting citizens’ rights. He maintained that Lagos remains the country’s safest destination because of proactive policing supported by adequate logistics.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (Lagos Chapter), Engr. Olalekan Adigun, welcomed youth representation on the oversight board and urged VCRU officers to build trust with young people by protecting rather than profiling them.
Traditional leaders, including Oba of Ijora, Oba Abdulfatai Aromire represented by the Bashorun of Ijora, Chief Hakeem Ojora and Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland, Aare Tomori Williams pledged continued community support for the VCRU, describing its location at Ijora as strategically important to securing both the mainland and island corridors of Lagos.
As the ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the renovated operational base and presentation of the tactical vehicles, the message was unmistakable: sustaining security in Lagos demands continuous investment, innovation, strong community partnerships and public participation. With the birth of the Violent Crime Response Unit and renewed backing from the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the state has signalled its resolve not merely to respond to violent crime, but to stay decisively ahead of it.