The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, disclosed this on Saturday at the POWA Barracks, Medical Road, while fielding questions from journalists.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Disu carried out an inspection tour of barracks and facilities in the state, where he assessed ongoing housing, rehabilitation and infrastructure works.<\/p>\n
The final stop was at POWA and Oduduwa Police Barracks.<\/p>\n
Speaking on his mission and assessment so far, Disu said his team had been on the ground since Friday, covering parts of Ikeja before moving to Lagos Island over the following two days.<\/p>\n
His words: \u201cWe have been on this tour inspecting police barracks and their deployment in Lagos since Friday. We visited some areas of Ikeja, and over the past two days, we toured parts of Lagos Island.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to him, the team has so far visited about 21 different barracks projects at various stages of development, a matter he described as central to officers\u2019 welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is very important to us in the Nigerian Police because it concerns the welfare of our officers. Our job is very demanding, and officers need proper accommodation to rest and recover so they can continue protecting lives and property,\u201d Disu said.<\/p>\n
He explained that many of the affected barracks had been demolished because they were dilapidated and unsafe, but admitted he was unhappy with the pace of rebuilding.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of these barracks were dilapidated and unsafe, so they were demolished to allow for redevelopment. However, I am not satisfied with the current stage of progress. Our officers have been patient for a long time, and that is why I came to see things myself and hold discussions with our partners, especially the Lagos State Government, which has been assisting us, along with other strategic partners,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The IGP raised concern that the former Falomo Barracks with its hospital, which appears to have been taken over by miscreants and lacks noticeable development.<\/p>\n
He promised to redesign and upgrade the hospital, including its equipment, as part of the broader development programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn front of the hospital, we intend to build new structures to serve members of the Nigerian Police Force,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Responding to questions on some Police barracks now serving as business centres and another broken down and taken over by traders, Disu responded: \u201cThis situation reflects the \u2018broken window theory\u2019 of policing: if property is left unattended, it deteriorates further. We will take immediate action to remove unauthorised occupants and reclaim full control of our property.\u201d<\/p>\n
On plans to relocate residents ahead of redevelopment, the IGP said the police would replicate the approach used at Ijeh, Obalende, where about 600 new buildings have already gone up.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAs for relocating current residents, we will follow the same model used at Ijeh, where about 600 new buildings have already been constructed. Residents were relocated and given allowances to secure temporary housing until the new barracks were ready. A similar process will be applied here.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cited Queen\u2019s Barracks as an example of how redevelopment could proceed without fully displacing officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Queen\u2019s Barracks, for example, we can demolish one or two buildings and rebuild within the vast available space, allowing officers to move directly into new housing without leaving the barracks entirely. This builds confidence, as officers can see the development happening before them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Disu, who has been in office for six months, acknowledged that the demolition process predated his tenure but insisted he was committed to seeing it through.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough I was not yet Inspector General of Police when the demolitions began, I am committed to ensuring progress. Officers have been patient, but they are eager to see results. I have been IGP for six months, and I share their concerns,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He disclosed that residents at the Ikeja site had been assured of moving into the new barracks by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Ikeja, I was told that by December or at worst, January, the new barracks should be habitable. I will continue visiting Lagos regularly to monitor these projects,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Police chief further revealed that funds were available through the Police Mortgage scheme and the Federal Mortgage Bank to support the housing drive, with a particular focus on junior officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have significant funds available through the Police Mortgage and the Federal Mortgage Bank, and we are working with partners to build houses, particularly for the rank and file, the lower ranks who carry out the bulk of policing. Our priority is to provide them with decent, dignified housing,\u201d Disu said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, disclosed this on Saturday at the POWA Barracks, Medical Road, while fielding questions from journalists. Earlier, Disu carried out an inspection tour of barracks and facilities in the state, where he assessed ongoing housing, rehabilitation and infrastructure works. The final stop was at POWA and Oduduwa Police Barracks. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8814,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n