The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its decision to proceed with the planned demolition of the Police Officers Wives Association Shopping Complex in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Despite protests and media backlash from affected traders, the Force insists that the complex poses environmental risks.
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, clarified the situation in a statement on Saturday.
He stated, “The complex, a property of the Nigeria Police Officer’s Wives Association, which is officially allocated to wives of police officers and their relatives, has been scheduled for demolition. This is to enable the Force to commence immediate construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land.”
Adejobi emphasized that the decision is based on professional opinion, indicating that the current structure poses an environmental hazard.
He said, “The site is prone to flooding and may be susceptible to sudden collapse, hence the need for immediate landscaping and reconstruction.”
He reassured that the demolition and reconstruction will be carried out in phases, and necessary legal requirements have been met. Adejobi warned against frivolous claims and media blackmail during the exercise.
He added, “All necessary legal requirements have been duly met. The current occupants of the complex have been given more than enough notice of the demolition to enable their evacuation from the facility in good time, and necessary steps have been taken to temporarily accommodate them within the same complex while the reconstruction lasts.”
The traders at the POWA Complex had sought intervention from the state governor and the Inspector General of Police, expressing concerns about losing their livelihoods if the plaza is demolished.
Despite a restraining order obtained from the court, the traders allege that officials claiming to represent the Lagos State Government posted a vacation notice.
The POWA Complex in Computer Village, Ikeja, houses around 1,000 occupants, and traders have expressed worry over the potential loss of their means of livelihood.
They contend that the plaza is owned by the widows of former police officers and serving officers.
