The Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Government have agreed to undertake a redevelopment of 25 major Police barracks in the Lagos metropolis. This move, according to both parties, underscores a staunch commitment to improving the welfare of police officers and men across the country.

The welfare package was unfolded during a press briefing attended by members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), where the IGP Usman Alkali Baba, who was represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted as follows: ‘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 will provide much-needed modern amenities and enhance the condition of living and dignity of Police Officers.

“Today, the timeous and remarkable proposal by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, to modernize Police Barracks and other facilities in Lagos State whilst partnering with the Lagos State Government in a bid to enhance the overall welfare of Police personnel serving in the state is the crux of this briefing. 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.’

The affected barracks are:
i.
Ijeh Police Barracks, Obalende
ii.
Highway Police Barracks, Ikeja
iii.
K9 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi
iv.
Falomo Police Barracks (A and B), Ikoyi
v.
Bar Beach Police Barracks, Victoria Island
vi.
MOPOL 20 Barracks, Ikeja
vii.
Women Police Barracks, Obalende
viii.
MOPOL 2 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi
ix.
Mounted Troop, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi
x.
Queen Barracks, Apapa
xi.
FPRO Annex Office and Barracks, Ijora Olopa
xii.
Iponrin Police Barracks, Surulere
xiii.
Adekunle Police Barracks, Yaba
xiv.
Federal Highway Patrol Office, Yaba
xv.
Alausa Police Barracks, Ikeja
xvi.
Mounted Troop, Ikeja
xvii.
Okesuna Police Barracks, Obalende
xviii.
Mc Carthy Barracks, Obalende
xix.
Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende
xx.
Obalende Police Barracks, Obalende
xxi.
Bourdillon Police Barracks, Ikoyi
xxii.
New Staff Quarters,WELFARE
xxiii.
Elere Police Barracks, Agege
xxiv.
Onikan Officers Mess, Ikoyi
xxv.
Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Milberton Street, Ikoyi.’

Responding, Special Adviser to the Lagos governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, said that her office had approached the Nigerian Police Force over the state of the Police barracks in Lagos state. ‘In 2020, there was a hearing held in Lagos and across Nigeria calling for reform and provision for Nigeria Police that their welfare and that of their children should be a priority to them. As a state, we are passionate about the welfare of our security personnel and we use this medium to call for social amenities to be put in place for the police officers and their children and face-lifting parade ground assuring the IGP that Gov. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu’s administration is part of the initiative.’

Further, the Special Adviser on E-GIS and Planning Matters to the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde appreciated the Police Force for partnering with the Lagos State government to work hand-in-hand to rebuild 25 Police barracks across Lagos State. The Lagos State Government will facilitate all the planning work and the building approval and make sure the right thing is done, NAOSNP can report.

Also in attendance was the AIG (Works) for Nigeria Police, AIG Rudolf Echebi Obe, who observed that the welfare of police officers and men is very important to the Police management, and that necessitated the partnership with the Lagos State Government to reconstruct the affected structures already marked for demolition across the state.

Residents of the affected barracks were thereafter issued a one-month notice to quit to premise in addition to two years rent allowance equalling the rent payable on the vacated residence to proper relocation.

The IGP also promised “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.”