12 Police Projects Now 90% Done, Boosting Rural Security — Gwary

Ongoing construction of 12 Police Divisional Headquarters and officers’ quarters across rural communities in the FCT has reached 90 per cent completion, a development that is boosting residents’ safety.

The Director of Security Services, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. Adamu Gwary stated this when he led journalists on project inspection in Abuja .

He said the move marks a significant milestone in strengthening community security and restoration of public confidence in the territory’s outskirts.

Mr Gwary said the initiative stemmed from the FCT Minister, Dr Nyesom Wike’s town hall engagements with residents in 2023, during which rural dwellers raised concerns about rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity.

“The Minister promised to bring security closer to the people, and that is the essence of these projects. We are constructing 12 of such police facilities, two in each Area Council,” Gwary stated.

According to him, 11 out of the 12 projects are already above 90 percent completion, with fittings and finishing work ongoing, with only one project, located in Wako District of Kwali Area Council, yet to commence due to administrative issues which have now been resolved.

“The Executive Committee (EXCO) has approved a new contractor after documentation challenges affected the earlier one. The project is now set to take off,” Gwary assured

Gwary noted that the structures follow a nationally approved police prototype provided by the Inspector-General of Police to standardize the divisional headquarters across the country.

“Each station has residential quarters of six 2 bedroom flats designed to accommodate 6 families to ensure officers are available to respond to emergencies at all times”.

“This is a national standard prototype adopted nationwide. With this, divisional offices will no longer lack personnel, as officers will reside close to their duty posts,” Gwary said.

He emphasized that the completion of the projects will serve as a major morale booster for residents, assuring that the facilities will not only curb crime but also foster a stronger relationship between law enforcement agents and rural communities.

“Having these facilities in rural areas boosts the morale and confidence of residents. It aligns with the Minister’s vision of bringing security closer to the people,” Gwary affirmed.

At the Saburi Police Divisional Headquarters, the site engineer, Mr Ahmed Yahaya, confirmed that the project, which began in September 2024, is 90 percent completed and expected to be delivered by December 2025.

“We have completed most of the finishing. What remains are industrial cleaning, painting, landscaping, and sanitary work,” he said.

Similarly, at the Yaba site in Abaji Area Council, the site builder, Mr Ayinde Olusegun Adewale disclosed that the three-floor residential block, designed for six families with two-bedroom flats each, would be ready by November ending.

“If everything goes as planned, we will deliver the project before December,” he assured.

Residents of the benefiting communities have expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration for the initiative, describing it as a long-awaited relief.

“We are very happy about this police station. Before now, we were living in fear because our security was not guaranteed. Now we feel safer and are giving the police and the DPO our full cooperation,” one community member said.

Aside Abaji and Suburi site, the inspection team also visited other ongoing project sites in Takushara (AMAC), Bako (Kwali Area Council), Giri (Gwagwalada Area Council), and Ushafa (Bwari Area Council), where work is progressing steadily.

The FCTA Director of Security Services expressed optimism that given the commitment of the contractors and support from the FCT Administration, the facilities will be completed before the end of the year, to bring the desired lasting security benefits to the territory’s rural communities.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji