Akwa Ibom State Police Command has disbursed ₦39,967,409.28 to the families and next of kin of 51 police officers who died while serving the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that the cheques were presented by the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s welfare intervention for families of deceased personnel.
The beneficiaries comprised relatives of officers who served in the command before their deaths. The financial assistance is intended to provide support to the families and cushion the impact of losing their loved ones.
Azare said the payment demonstrated that the police had not forgotten the service and sacrifice of the deceased officers or the families they left behind.
He also conveyed the condolences of the Inspector-General of Police and the command to the bereaved families, assuring them of the Force’s continued commitment to their welfare.
The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to use the funds prudently, particularly for the welfare, education and development of their families and dependants.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Aniedi Joseph Etuk thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner for prioritising the welfare of families of fallen officers. He assured the command that the beneficiaries would make judicious use of the financial assistance.
The payment is part of a wider series of welfare interventions by the Nigeria Police Force for families of officers who died in the line of duty. Recent disbursements have also been made in other states, including Borno, where ₦40.7 million was paid to families of fallen officers under the Group Life Insurance Scheme.
