Policemen attached to the Enugu State command have complained about the deplorable condition of the barracks in the state capital.

According to them, the poor environment in the barracks has had an impact on the activities of the force's operatives.

“A person who sleeps and wakes up in a dilapidated building, with no electricity and water, is likely to misbehave at his duty post,” one of them said.

Another officer added, “Thanks to SaharaReporters for all you do for us policemen. I have been reading all your stories about the police. I don’t understand why our government treats our security operatives like this. Go to any police barracks in Nigeria today, and you will end up crying. They all look like where mad people live.

“Check our barracks at CPS Enugu. Recently, a building collapsed. I was ashamed when my son said he would be visiting me, because my son is in Europe. He couldn't stay up to 10 minutes and left, so sad.”

This comes amid growing national discontent over worsening economic conditions, stagnant wages, and deteriorating welfare standards among Nigeria’s security forces.

The average salary of a Nigerian police constable is estimated to be between N43,000 and N55,000 per month, a figure critics have long described as grossly inadequate given the risks and responsibilities borne by officers.

In June 2025, both serving and retired officers issued a 30-day ultimatum to the federal government demanding urgent pension reforms.

Their demands include overhauling the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they describe as exploitative; transitioning to a Defined Benefit Scheme, similar to what the military and other elite agencies enjoy; immediate payment of unpaid gratuities and benefits to retired officers; and establishing a dedicated police pension board to ensure transparency and fairness.

Officers warned of a nationwide strike starting August 1, 2025, if reforms are not implemented—a move that could severely disrupt internal security.

The planned strike could cripple law enforcement nationwide, especially amid rising insecurity.

Retired police officers are also set to stage a nationwide peaceful demonstration on July 21, 2025. They're calling it the “Mother of All Peaceful Protests” to demand exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme and push for better welfare.

Serving officers, while not officially part of the protest, are reportedly under internal scrutiny as the Nigeria Police Force launched a nationwide roll-call to monitor any signs of solidarity with the retirees

Critics argue that neglecting police welfare contributes to corruption, low morale, and poor public trust. The pension crisis has sparked solidarity movements, with civil society groups and activists calling for urgent government intervention.

WATCH: No Water, No Electricity; Officers Living In Filth Will Likely Misbehave On Duty’—Enugu Policemen Lament Collapse, Rot In Barracks pic.twitter.com/QYHEJcNG6a