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Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Rashid Afegbua, has banned unlawful stop-and-search, harassment, profiling, extortion and other unprofessional conduct among police personnel in the state.
He said such acts are now strictly prohibited in any part of the state, emphasising that any personnel found culpable will be sanctioned.
Afegbua gave the order today when he launched the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, in line with the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force and the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
He used the opportunity to disband the tactical formations including the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, and Anti-Cultism Squad.
The CP said that the new unit is established to provide swift, intelligence-led, and professional responses to kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence, and other violent crimes across the state.
He also described the initiative as a strategic step towards modern, accountable, and community-oriented policing rooted in professionalism, integrity, and respect for human rights.
CSP Titus Udofia was appointed to take charge of the unit as Commander and is to operate from the State Command Headquarters, Calabar.
He disclosed further that the unit will have two operational sectors covering the northern axis Ikom/Ogoja as Sector one. Sector two will situated in the Central Axis, Akamkpa/Ugep.
The CP disclosed further that the personnel deployed to the Unit had undergone rigorous screening, vetting, and training in intelligence-led operations, lawful use of force, and protection of citizens’ rights.
CP bars policemen from stop-and-search, extortion in Cross River
