N15.6bn deceased police officers’ benefits paid – IG

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, said a total of N15,606,138,376 had been to 5,225 family members and next of kin of deceased police officers between 2023 and 2024.

According to him, a total of N9,851,847,889.88 was paid to 3,077 families and next of kin on six different occasions between July 2023 and June 2024.

The IG spoke in Abuja while presenting cheques to another batch of slain officers’ families.

He said, “We will be presenting cheques totalling N5,754,290,486.38 to the families of deceased police officers who have selflessly given their lives in service of our great nation, Nigeria.”

Egbetokun said the Tuesday disbursement covered balance payments for insurance policies for the years 2018-2019, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.

He said, “We have presented cheques amounting to N15,606,138,376 to 5,225 family members and next of kin of deceased officers.

“Before today’s event, we have presented cheques totalling N9,851,847,889.88 to 3,077 families and next of kin of our departed colleagues at six separate presentation ceremonies between July 2023 and June 2024.

“We will be presenting cheques totalling N5,754,290,486.38 to the families of deceased police officers who have selflessly given their lives in service of our great nation Nigeria.

“This is the largest disbursement ever in the history of cheque presentations to family members of deceased police officers. This reflects our commitment to easing the burden on the families of our fallen colleagues. Today’s disbursement covers balance payments for insurance policies for the years 2018-2019, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.

“To the families of our fallen officers gathered here today, while we know we cannot fill the void left by the loss of your loved ones, we hope that these cheques will provide some support as you face the challenges ahead.”

Egbetokun promised to prioritise the welfare of police officers.

He said, “As we honour our fallen heroes, we also renew our commitment to the safety and well-being of the officers who continue to serve. The current management of the force remains steadfast in its dedication to prioritising the welfare of our personnel.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the hard-working officers of the force insurance unit for their continuous efforts in ensuring that claims are settled promptly, despite the challenges they face.”

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Cecilia Christopher commended the IG for the gesture.

She urged the IG to help slain officers’ children secure employment as many of them are jobless

Christopher said, “We come here and what you did to us, especially the Commissioner of Police and the insurance officers, in fact, we really appreciate what you people did for us, and we urge that you will continue to do to others as you did to us. This money will go a long way to train our children in school.

“Many of our children are without jobs after graduating from the universities. I want the Inspector General of Police to help our children whenever they are looking for a job.”