The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Murphy Omoruyi (LP-Edo) during plenary in Abuja on Thursday.
Leading the debate, Omoruyi said the National Assembly passed the Police Reform Bill 2020, which was signed into law by former president, Muhammadu Buhari, on September 16, 2020.
He said one of the core issues of the Act was to address the living conditions of the nation’s gallant police officers. The lawmaker said the problem of adequate and dignified accommodation for police officers persists, and had so far outlived all previous measures.
He said the Federal Government spent more than ₦5 billion on the renovation of barracks between 2019 and 2022, yet all efforts made to rehabilitate them failed. He said there had been robust national debate and calls for more community oriented policing strategies.
“Having officers of the Nigeria Police living amongst the general population, rather than in their secluded barracks will significantly satisfy these calls and enhance public safety,” he said.
The lawmaker said the barracks method of housing police and local law enforcement officers was a relic colonial practice that had since been abandoned by the colonialists. He said police officers and their families lived in squalor characterised by large cracks on the wall, bat-infested houses, leaking roofs among others.
Omoruyi said the nation’s police officers had been tagged as corrupt and this is not far-fetched from lack of welfare services for them. He said the public have lost confidence and respect in our gallant officers due to their poor condition of service.
The lawmaker said the deplorable living condition of the police officers had dampened their morale and productivity. He said if this issue was not urgently addressed, the welfare of officers will continue to deteriorates.
