Police to get 25,000 houses

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said that 25,000 houses will be built for police personnel across the country as part of efforts to address the housing deficit bedevilling the Nigeria Police Force.

“Officers and men of the Force would be proud owners of these brand new houses to spring up soon across the country,” he said.

The IGP, while addressing recruits at the Police Training School (PTS), Sokoto, said the houses would be provided in partnership with some private developers, including Shelter Afrique, an arm of the African Union.

He added that the move was also to complement the efforts being made to make barracks across Nigeria more habitable.

The police boss described accommodation as key to motivating officers and men to be more diligent, patriotic and productive.

“We should always strive to serve and diligently protect Nigerians and not to intimidate or harass them,’’ he said.

He stressed the need for them to earn and sustain respect of the public.

‘’We must respect diversity, respect the human rights of Nigerians, respect the law and show compassion, while enforcing the law”, he said.

He also advised them to shun corruption in all its ramifications, stating that the force headquarters had set up a special squad to combat the menace internally.

On the Police Training School, the IGP said measures would be taken to give its facilities the desired facelift.

The Commandant PTS, Sokoto, Mr Aliyu Sa’idu, assured that they would continue to maintain standard and discipline in the school.

He added that 836 recruits were undergoing training at the school.