Folarin Kehinde

Over the years the Nigerian Police has been the vanguard of protection of lives and properties, duties which they have been doing despite many daunting challenges facing them, though many will neglect their role in the country due to ‘bribe mantra’ which is being associated with their profession, nonetheless a country without the police is living in the shadow of itself.

From the indepth investigation of crimes and arrest of hardened criminals to solving civil matters which some would say does not matter, and standing day and night under the sun and rain at designated check points, and to many who lost their lives in the line of duty, all in a bid to have a safer country, there is no gainsaying that the police deserve better treatment.

Unlike the military, judges and other law enforcement agents that have quarters and lodges well furnished and equipped, the tale of some police barracks is an eyesore, a testament was recently seen on the social media where their barracks were tagged showing the dilapidated structure and the bad state of their facility.

Coincidentally, one of such is the Falomo Ikoyi Barracks, Lagos which has been a sorry sight came under criticism and unfounded report of sale, and demolition. Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, dismissed the claim of sale but disclosed that the barracks will be redeveloped into a more befitting and modern barracks, with complementary facilities and modern infrastructure.

The PRO noted that the redevelopment of the barracks (including Falomo barracks) is set to be speedily completed after which the occupants will be duly offered fresh accommodation in the redeveloped sites but what is more worrisome is the paltry amount of N2 million that is given to the occupants of Falomo Barracks Blocks A and B as temporary relocation allowance.

The payment which has been made to 347 families after a validation process to facilitate their temporary relocation is not limited to Falomo barracks alone but such will be duplicated in other barracks.

“Similar redevelopment projects will be implemented across all police barracks nationwide over time. This is a strategic effort to improve the living conditions of our officers and their families, which is a key focus of the current police administration.” Adejobi said.

An X user, chude recently posted the demolition of Falomo Police Barracks https://x.com/chude__/status/1840386820107850065?s=48&t=rzMb5VUzn2LYbvfqGl-1fQ but what comes to mind is are the judges better of in terms of maintaining law and order who often times enjoy benefits from government and notable individuals?

Recently, President Bola Tinubu approved a 300% salary increase for the judges a move making the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to earn #64 million annually including other benefits, barely a week ago, the president also directed the FCT minister to build forty judges quarters in Abuja among many other benefits.

From all indication however, the police need better lives to cater for their families and also for some of them who left wives and children at the mercy of the government, without mining words a nation cannot stand without an improved police system else the continued ‘means’ to survive will continue unabated.