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By Paul Williams
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has declared that the welfare of police officers remains non-negotiable, stressing that officers who risk their lives to protect the country deserve to live and work under decent conditions.
Disu stated this while addressing police officers and their wives at McCarthy Barracks, Obalende, Lagos State, over the weekend, following concerns among residents that the authorities were planning to eject them from the barracks under the guise of renovation and reconstruction.
The IGP, who visited the barracks to inspect the ongoing work and ascertain the plans for the facility, assured the officers that he would engage those handling the project to ensure its speedy completion.
He said, “I came here to see all of you, to see what they are doing, what the plan is, to talk to the people doing it, to see what is remaining and to ask important questions about why it has not been completed all these days.
“And to see if I can make them complete it fast. By the time we retire, we will not have the power and all those things again. At least, let us enjoy our lives.
“Every day, when our husbands are going out, they tell us they are coming back at night. Is there any policeman who is sure of coming back every day?
“We are not sure of coming back. So, the life that we have, let us live it well.”
Disu further stressed the need for police facilities to be designed with the welfare and convenience of officers in mind, recalling an instance where houses built for police officers did not have lifts.
“There is a place we went to where they built houses for police officers. They did not put lifts. We started asking questions. Is it because we are police officers that they did not put lifts in the building?” he asked.
The IGP said the Police Force was committed to improving the living conditions of its personnel, adding that officers deserved to enjoy the benefits of their service to the nation.
“We need to enjoy ourselves. That is what we are trying to do. That is why I am talking with everybody in charge to see how long it will take to finish it on time.
“We are hardworking people. It is we who keep Nigeria together as it is today.
“Every day, policemen go to work and some die in the line of duty. So, when we live, let us live well.
“Without you telling me, I want to try to see how I can talk to the people in charge to complete it so that all of us can live well,” Disu added.
The IGP also urged the officers and their families not to be apprehensive about the renovation project, urging them to have confidence in the leadership of the Police Force.
“Don’t express fear that they want to push you out. At least, let us trust ourselves. If members of the public don’t believe in us, let us believe in ourselves,” he said.
