Police Set To Establish Radio Station In Lagos

Plans are already at top gear to convert the abandoned Lagos annex of the Force Public Relations into a Radio Station by the Police high command.

The annex, located at Ijora Olopa in Mainland Local Government Council  of the state, was a beehive of activities for interactions between the police high Command and members of the press.

The one story building and extension, sited on about a plot of land close to the head office of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), has become abandoned since the tenure of Dr. Mike Mbama Okiro as Inspector General of Police by successive Force Spokespersons.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who gave the hint about the conversion of the annex to a Radio Station, said arrangements are in top gear.

Speaking while fielding questions in Lagos, Adejobi said the Force headquarters has written to the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for approval and regular network.

He disclosed that the Radio Station will operate on 1.9 FM in addition to others stations owned by the Police Authority.

Adejobi also disclosed that the building is one of the structures to be redeveloped along other distressed Police Barracks in the state. 

He identified the affected 25  Barracks to include Ijeh Police Barracks, Obalende, Highway Police Barracks, Ikeja,  K9 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi, Falomo Police Barracks (A and B), Ikoyi, Bar Beach Police Barracks, Victoria Island,  MOPOL 20 Barracks, Ikeja, Women Police Barracks, Obalende, MOPOL 2 Police Barracks, Keffi Street, South-West, Ikoyi, Mounted Troop, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi, Queen Barracks, Apapa, FPRO Annex Office and Barracks, Ijora Olopa.

Others are Iponrin Police Barracks, Surulere, Adekunle Police Barracks, Yaba, Federal Highway Patrol Office, Yaba, Alausa Police Barracks, Ikeja, Mounted Troop, Ikeja, Okesuna Police Barracks, Obalende, Mc Carthy Barracks, Obalende, Force Headquarters Annex, Obalende, Obalende Police Barracks, Obalende, Bourdillon Police Barracks, Ikoyi, New Staff Quarters, Ikeja, Elere Police Barracks, Agege, Onikan Officers Mess, Ikoyi and Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Milberton Street, Ikoyi.

The Force Spokesperson flanked by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Works) AIG Obe Rudolf, hinted that the redevelopment of the Barracks will be carried out in partnership with the Lagos State Government, but not specific on the duration of completion.

Before eviction and commencement of the demolition exercise, Adejobi said all the genuine serving officers occupying the Barracks will be ascertained and giving enough money to rent alternative accomodations close to their respective  stations for two years.

” The IGP’s directive is that all currently residing and legally seated residents of any of the affected Barracks will receive a maximum sum of money equaling the rental cost for the location of their Barracks for two years, to aid them in advance in acquiring alternative accommodation options throughout the period of reconstruction.

”  Upon the successful curation and completion of these living arrangements, a formal notice to vacate will be issued.

” The Inspector-General of Police has provided an assurance that all officers who are on active service and living in these barracks legally, shall receive the keys to the new structures upon completion of the development of the improved housing area.

” The revolutionary drive of the Nigeria Police Force to redefine the physical landscape and outdoor environment of Police Barracks and other facilities in Lagos State is a clear-cut effort to modernize the current facilities, as well as create a conducive environment for officers to carry out their duties and responsibilities with honour and self-esteem”,the Force image maker emphasized.

Speaking at the occasion, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing Barrister Toke Awoyinka Benson said the State Government is passionate about what happens in the state, hence its resolve to give the police a befitting structure and their families.

” We have been talking with the Police over this that it is time to reconstruct the Barracks. We look at those building and ask that how would men coming out of these buildings be addressing us. They will transfer their anger on us. The police deserve a better living condition, something befitting of them”, she posited.

In his contribution, the  Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geography Information System ( EGIS) Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babajide disclosed that the State Government will provide infrastructural supper amongst others through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

The Governor’s aide also assured that the project would be monitored once it is approved to ensure that it is completed within two to three years.