As the deadline for the demolition of police barracks in Lagos state draws close, fear and anxiety have gripped officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) who are to be affected.
A report has it that no fewer than a million officers and their families would be ejected from the barracks before the commencement of the demolition which will be followed by redevelopment of the barracks.
A directive to commence phase 1 of the reconstruction exercise in the affected barracks has already been issued from the NPF to the Nigeria Police Force Property Development and Construction Company.
However, the force noted that payment of compensation to verified occupants of the listed barracks “will commence immediately ahead of the demolition of the affected barracks.”
It also said personnel should be deployed to work closely with the company officials and their partners to ensure that every occupant vacates the barracks once they are paid their dues.
The NPF urged the construction firm to ensure completion of the demolition exercise on or before May 30 so that the developers can move to the sites.
Below are the barracks across the state to be affected:
- Ijeh Police Barracks
- Obalende Highway Police Barracks (Ikeja)
- K9 Police Barracks (Ikoyi)
- Falomo Police Barracks (A and B)
- 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)
- Iponrin Police Barracks (Surulere)
- Adekunle Police Barracks (Yaba)
- Federal Highway Patrol Office (Yaba)
- Alausa Police Barracks (Ikeja)
- Mounted Troop (Ikeja)
- Okesuna Police Barracks (Obalende)
- McCarthy 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)
- Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Milberton Street (Ikoyi)
Police officer speaks with Ikeja Record
A superintendent of police in Lagos told The Record that the notice was given to all officers living in the barracks since 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
The high-ranking officer, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said since the notice was served, all officers living in the barracks have been receiving rent subsidies like those living outside the barracks.
“So they always knew that a time like this would come and so they have themselves to blame,” the officer said.
He added that the notice was not served to individuals, but a general communique.