Police Headquarters Makes Clarification On Barracks Reconstruction, Redevelopment

By: Okosun Dennis

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Nigerian Police, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday made some clarifications on the proposed remodelling of 25 Police Barracks facilities within Lagos State.

He said since the initiative was made known last week, the media have been awash with all manners of stories casting aspersions on the genuine intention of the IGP Usman Alkali Baba to bring new lease of life to police personnel and their families.

While briefing the press at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters, Conference Hall, Ikeja, which was added by two Special Advisers to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained that the Nigerian Police Force was carrying out the project in partnership with the Lagos State government to modernize the 25 Police Barracks and other facilities in Lagos State.

He added that it was in a bid to enhance the overall welfare of Police personnel serving in the state and make life comfortable for them.

Explaining further, CSP Adejobi revealed that the Inspector-General of Police has issued a directive that those living in these Barracks would be issued a one-month notice to vacate their accommodation spaces and such personnel would be paid different amount of money according to the location for two years to rent a befitting apartment until the reconstruction are completed.

The affected Barracks included Ijeh Police Barracks, Obalende; Highway Police Barracks, Ikeja; K9 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi; Falomo Police Barracks (A and B), Ikoyi; Bar Beach Police Barracks, Victoria Island; MOPOL 20 Barracks, Ikeja; Women Police Barracks, Obalende; MOPOL 2 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi; Mounted Troop, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi; Queen Barracks, Apapa ; FPRO Annex Office and Barracks, Ijora Olopa.

Others include Iponrin Police Barracks, Surulere; Adekunle Police Barracks, Yaba; Federal Highway Patrol Office, Yaba; Alausa Police Barracks, Ikeja; Mounted Troop, Ikeja; Okesuna Police Barracks, Obalende; Mc Carthy Barracks, Obalende; Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende; Obalende Police Barracks, Obalende; Bourdillon Police Barracks, Ikoyi; New Staff Quarters, Ikeja; Elere Police Barracks, Agege; Onikan Officers Mess, Ikoyi; and Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Milberton Street, Ikoyi.

On funding of the project, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed that it is basically Nigerian Police project with support from Police Trust Fund.

Part of the statement which read in part further revealed that “The directive will not be carried out all at once, but would be implemented in phases to ensure that all officially recognized and lawful residents of the affected Barracks are properly catered for.

“The revolutionary drive of the Nigeria Police Force to redefine the physical landscape and outdoor environment of Police Barracks and other facilities in Lagos State is a clear-cut effort to modernize the current facilities, as well as create a conducive environment for officers to carry out their duties and responsibilities with honour and self-esteem.

“This laudable initiative by the Inspector General of Police is timely as it is without a doubt fundamental to addressing the longstanding issue of poor and dilapidated infrastructures within facilities occupied by Police personnel and is in furtherance of the IGP’s infrastructural development drives which have so far led to the construction of over 198 projects including more than 120 modern police stations, barracks, and other vital police buildings around the country as part of efforts to ensure improved working conditions for more effective and efficient service delivery.

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“In full compliance with the Lagos State Government’s recommendations on the poor condition of some Police Barracks that do not match up to the structural integrity test, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deemed it necessary to carry out the demolition, redevelopment, and reconstruction of 25 Police Barracks and facilities in Lagos State.

“We have taken a proactive approach towards the redevelopment and regeneration of these important establishments, and anticipate the positive outcomes associated with this venture. The renovations would provide much-needed modern amenities and enhance the condition of living and dignity of Police Officers.

It was learnt that the police force has planed series of sensitization and relocation efforts for police personnel living in the affected barracks between Monday, 1st May and Wednesday, 31st May, 2023.

CSP Adejobi noted that the briefing was part of the sensitization process with the intention of creating a transparent dialogue between not only the affected occupants and other police personnel but also the broader public, in order to avoid misinformation.

On completion, which CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reiterated would last about two years or more, the IGP has provided an assurance that all officers who are on active service and living in these barracks legally, shall receive the keys to the new structures upon completion of the development of the improved housing area.

“The revolutionary drive of the Nigeria Police Force to redefine the physical landscape and outdoor environment of Police Barracks and other facilities in Lagos State is a clear-cut effort to modernize the current facilities, as well as create a conducive environment for officers to carry out their duties and responsibilities with honour and self-esteem.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka said Lagos state government would continue to support the Nigerian Police and have been doing so in building barracks and station and donate to the police.

“In this efforts to regenerate NPF barracks, we are going to support in the area of permit to build.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser on E-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde said that they would ensure that the integrity of the buildings are not compromised; adding that they would do everything possible to ensure every building regulations are followed and make sure NPF wouldn’t be victim of building collapse hence they are addressing such problems frontally.

CSP Adejobi also revealed that the constroversial ownership claim of Ejeh Police Barracks, Obalende, by either the Nigerian Police or the Lagos State government have no bases in record as the barracks belongs to the Nigerian Police hence it is part of the affected barracks for remodelling and redevelopment.

Slides of both the old, dilapidated, disheveled building of various affected police barracks within Lagos area and the prototypes of the proposed structures were shown to the press including some modest achievements in new structures in Kano and Abuja.