Nigerian lawmakers call for better deal for police officers

The House of Representatives in Nigeria has taken steps to address the deplorable living conditions of the police officers and called for the auction of all police barracks across the country. The House’s resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (LP, Edo) at plenary on Thursday.

According to Omoruyi, the problem of adequate and dignified accommodation for police officers persists and has so far outlived all previous measures. He said that between 2019 and 2022, over N5 billion was spent by the federal government on barracks renovations, but the barracks continue to fail to meet basic needs in their current state of disrepair and lack of maintenance.

Omoruyi said the barracks method of housing for police and local law enforcement officers is a relic of colonial practice that has since been abandoned by the same colonialists in their home countries. He expressed worry that police officers and their families live in squalor quarters characterised by large cracks on the wall, bat-infested houses, leaking roofs, and dilapidated structures for barracks across the country.

He said that the poor living conditions of the police officers have dampened their morale and productivity and also tarnished their image and reputation among the public. He said that the police officers have been tagged as corrupt, and this is not far-fetched given their lack of welfare services.

He called for the abolishment of the barracks model and its replacement with an enhanced “housing allowance” determined by rank, existing police salary structure, and location. He also urged the federal government to auction all police barracks across the country and use the proceeds to fund the housing allowance scheme.

The motion was unanimously adopted by the House after a debate, and it was referred to the Committee on Police Affairs for further legislative action.