Decaying Police Barracks Force Officers Into Unsafe Homes and Costly Rentals

Thousands of police officers and their families are living in ageing and overcrowded barracks marked by leaking roofs, damaged sewage systems, cracked walls, unreliable water supply and inadequate security.

A multi-state investigation into police accommodation found that years of limited maintenance and insufficient investment have left many residential facilities unfit for decent living.

The investigation covered barracks in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Benue, Kaduna, Abia, Enugu, Niger, Kebbi and Bauchi states.

In Kano, some old residential blocks have been demolished for reconstruction, while others remain visibly deteriorated. Some officers displaced by the redevelopment reportedly complained that they had not been returned to the new buildings despite expectations that former occupants would receive priority.

The affected officers also expressed concern about being removed without adequate arrangements to protect them from rapidly increasing rents outside the barracks.

Across Borno and Yobe, decades of use, inadequate maintenance and damage associated with insurgency have placed considerable pressure on police accommodation.

Some barracks reportedly have cracked walls, damaged ceilings, poor electricity and non-functioning toilets. In certain locations, multiple families share a single toilet, while the absence of perimeter fencing leaves residents exposed to security risks.

Officers in Benue said many residential buildings were older than their occupants and that personnel frequently used personal funds to repair apartments before moving in.

Although interventions by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund have supported renovations in some areas, officers described the scale of the work as insufficient compared with the widespread deterioration.

In Kaduna, residents contend with broken drainage channels, leaking roofs, damaged doors and windows, failing sanitary facilities and overgrown surroundings. Flooding and muddy compounds reportedly make conditions worse during the rainy season.

The police quarters at Aba Central Police Station in Abia State include buildings dating back to the 1960s. Residents said previous renovations largely involved roofing and painting without comprehensively addressing electricity, water, sanitation and structural problems.

In Enugu, an officer estimated that about 80 per cent of personnel live outside the barracks because available accommodation is inadequate or unsuitable. Rising rents have consequently placed additional pressure on officers’ salaries.

One female constable said she paid ₦300,000 annually for a single room in a building where six tenants shared one toilet, despite earning approximately ₦90,000 monthly.

Conditions in Niger State are equally concerning. The main police barracks in Minna was reportedly constructed in 1952 and accommodates only about 10 per cent of the approximately 2,000 officers serving in the state capital.

Some officers in Kebbi reportedly squat with colleagues or sleep in offices and places of worship because they cannot secure official accommodation or afford private rent.

In Bauchi, residents of some barracks have reportedly dug private wells to obtain water, while many repairs have been financed directly by the officers occupying the buildings.

The findings highlight the need for a properly funded national police-housing programme covering structural assessments, rehabilitation, sanitation, drainage, water supply, electricity and the construction of additional homes.

Any redevelopment programme should also provide temporary accommodation or adequate rent support for displaced officers and adopt a transparent process for allocating completed units.

Improving police accommodation is not only a welfare matter. Safe and decent housing can support morale, family stability, operational readiness and the overall effectiveness of the country’s security institutions.

The post The Forgotten Homes of Nigeria’s Police Officers appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Speaking at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos State, during an ongoing nationwide needs assessment tour, Sheidu emphasized the importance of addressing deficiencies in police facilities to enhance the efficiency of law enforcement across the country.

The tour, which continued on Tuesday, focuses on evaluating the current state of police training and medical infrastructure, while identifying areas for immediate intervention. Sheidu pointed out critical challenges, including inadequate lighting, unreliable water supply, and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation of police facilities. “We promise Nigerians and the police that, in a short time, we will intervene and implement changes that will restore the police force to world standards,” Sheidu stated. He further highlighted the role of accountability and transparency in the fund’s activities, ensuring that every project is subject to oversight and monitoring.

Sheidu also conducted inspections of police recruits undergoing training in the southern region of Nigeria. During his visit to the Police College dormitory and hostel facilities, which were found to be in poor condition, he stressed the urgent need for intervention to improve living conditions for recruits. “One of the things we stand for is integrity and accountability.

I didn’t come here alone; I am here with members of the National Assembly to ensure oversight,” Sheidu remarked, emphasizing that a monitoring and evaluation team will track each project from beginning to end. Sheidu, who spent part of his childhood at the college grounds as his father was a commander there in the 1980s, expressed a personal commitment to revitalizing the institution. “It’s important to me that we bring the Police College to world standards,” he said.

Sheidu also reaffirmed the NPTF’s commitment to equipping police officers with the skills necessary to tackle contemporary challenges. Speaking at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, where officers are undergoing training, he highlighted the importance of intelligence-led policing, which emphasizes proactive and information-driven law enforcement methods.

“This training will enable our officers to utilise intelligence to prevent crime, reduce violence, and improve overall public safety,” Sheidu said, commending officers for their dedication to enhancing their skills for the benefit of national security.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Mr. Makki Yallema, also praised the efforts of the Police College management. Yallema stated that the inspection provided valuable insights that would aid in supporting future budget proposals for the NPTF. “This visit gives us the insight needed to support the budget proposals that the NPTF will submit,” he added.

The Commandant of the Police College, Mr. Fasuba Akinyele, who led the delegation during the inspection, outlined some of the facility’s pressing challenges. Akinyele pointed out that inadequate lighting and insufficient solar power during the rainy season were major obstacles to a consistent water supply for recruits.

He appealed for enhanced solar energy support to ensure a steady flow of water, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene standards during training. Akinyele revealed that approximately 420 recruits from the southern parts of Nigeria were currently undergoing training at the college, with an additional 610 trainees enrolled in various specialties. He called for urgent intervention to address the facility’s challenges and improve training conditions.

The post Police Trust Fund to Implement Reforms for World-Class Police Force – Sheidu appeared first on Housing TV Africa.