Families of police officers in Sokoto staged a protest Sunday over the demolition of their residential quarters at Kontagora Road, Gawon Nama, which they say was carried out without notice. The affected families, mostly wives and children of serving and retired officers, said a bulldozer accompanied by Civil Defence personnel tore down perimeter fences in the early hours while many officers were away on duty or at dawn prayers. Hajiya Safiya Halliru, wife of the late Assistant Commissioner of Police Halliru Gwarzo, said residents had lived in the quarters for over 20 years and deserved prior consultation if the houses were to be repossessed or sold. She appealed to Inspector-General of Police Rilwan Tunde Disu to intervene, noting her husband died in active service.
Another protester, Mrs. Hadiza Abdulrazak-Gulma, said the matter is already before the court, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, making the demolition premature. She also called on the IGP to step in, emphasizing the sacrifices of their husbands in service to the nation. A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent confirmed that the quarters house several senior officers, including a Commissioner of Police. When contacted, the Sokoto Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Nasiru Dantsoho, claimed he was unaware of the demolition and declined to comment. Protesters added that police families in other states have received Certificates of Occupancy for similar quarters, questioning why Sokoto residents have not.
The demolition proceeded despite a scheduled court hearing on the matter, raising questions about due process. If other police families in different states have received Certificates of Occupancy, the delay in Sokoto may reflect inconsistent policy implementation. The IGP's potential intervention could determine whether institutional support extends beyond active service.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
