By Damilare Adeleye
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed insinuations on social media that the Falomo Police Barracks land in Lagos State has secretly been sold.
The Force, while described the rumour as false, mischievous, and a calculated attempt to cause unnecessary discord within the ranks of the NPF, clarified that the concerned barracks and several others were temporarily handed over to reputable developers to renovate the buildings to more befitting and modern barracks – with complementary facilities and modern infrastructure.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, noted that the redevelopment of the barracks is to be speedily completed after which the occupants will be duly offered fresh accommodation in the redeveloped sites.
He added that 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
police barracks.
The statement reads, “Following series of misleading write-ups and social media comments alleging that the Falomo Barracks land in Lagos State has been sold, it has become pertinent for the Nigeria Police Force to address the shocking and unfounded trends of discussions on dilapidated status of barracks and their redevelopment, specifically the Falomo Barracks and others in Lagos. While we appreciate the concerns and interests of concerned groups and individuals on the general welfare of police personnel, we aim to provide clear and accurate information about these unpalatable allegations.
“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. 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. 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.
“The claims that the Barracks are being vacated and the pieces of land sold are false, mischievous, and a calculated attempt to cause unnecessary discord within the ranks of the NPF. The improvement of these facilities is a priority for the Nigeria Police Force; and steps are being taken to address the issues effectively.”