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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied claims that plots of land at the police barracks in Falomo, Lagos, were being sold to investors.
In a statement on Tuesday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said police authorities commenced a “redevelopment” project for dilapidated police barracks, including the one in Falomo.
Recently, an X user @chiditweets042 initiated a hashtag— #NPFBarracksSeries —where pictures of dilapidated police barracks across the country were compiled.
Some social media users also claimed that police officers residing in the Falomo barracks were issued vacation notice.
They alleged that police authorities have sold some plots of land at the Falomo barracks.
Reacting to the claim, Adejobi said some occupants of Falomo barracks have received N2 million each as “temporary relocation allowance”.
The force spokesperson said the “redevelopment” of Falomo barracks is expected to be “speedily completed after which the occupants will be duly offered fresh accommodation in the redeveloped sites”.
“Due to the critical state of several police barracks (including the Falomo Barracks) the NPF leadership conceived a partnership arrangement with sub-national governments and reputable developers to unlock value in the assets by redeveloping the barracks into more befitting and modern barracks – with complementary facilities and modern infrastructure,” Adejobi said.
“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.
“In specific terms, the occupants of Falomo Barracks Blocks A and B have each received a sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) only as temporary relocation allowance.
“This payment has been made to 347 families after a validation process to facilitate their temporary relocation.
“It is important to note that this initiative is not limited to Falomo Barracks alone. Similar redevelopment projects will be implemented across all police barracks nationwide over time.”
In April, Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, launched the police housing fund scheme.
During the launch, Egbetokun said the police authorities are seeking a N100 billion fund to finance affordable houses for police officers across the country.
In May, the Lagos government partnered with the NPF to rebuild 25 barracks in deplorable condition in the state.
