The Nigeria Police on Wednesday presented cheques worth N42 million to families of 27 officers who died in active duty in Zone 2 Command, comprising Lagos and Ogun states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death benefit was paid out to the fallen officers under the Police Life Insurance Scheme.
Presenting the cheques, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, said that the gesture was in fulfilment of the police life insurance policy.
Represented by Bala Hassan, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, the IG urged the beneficiaries to put the benefits to good use.
Arase said that the scheme was put in place to alleviate the suffering of family members of personnel who either died or sustained near fatal injuries in the course of duty.
“This will enable the families of the deceased to take care of their loved ones that are still living; we have officers that died in the course of duty and those that were shot by armed robbers,’’ he said.
The IG said that the benefits cut across all ranks in the force and that the amount differed depending on the rank and circumstances in which the officer departed.
“Each serving member usually fills a form showing their next of kin and after death, we then contact their next of kin and present the cheques to them.
“The rank is usually from Inspector downwards; we have distributed close to N42 million now to the all the families.
“With this, I am sure the little children that are left behind will be able to go to school,’’ Arase said.
IG also extended his condolences to the families of the beneficiaries.
“The money is not meant for frivolities; it is to ensure that children left behind are well taken care off.
“This does not end here, we still have other benefits, this one is for the insurance the force did for its officers, especially for those that died in the course of duty.
“Those who were involved in accidents and those that were sick and eventually died also benefit,’’ he said.
NAN reports that each of the beneficiaries received between N200, 000 to N1.9 million.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Eunice Mbang, thanked the IG, saying that the money would go a long way in assisting members of their families.
“Basically, it is my dad’s retirement benefit; it is just to support the family that my dad left behind.
“My dad was ill and he died in Aug. 2014 as an Assistant Superintendent.
“I am surprised it came early because from what we heard, it will take about five years for us to get the benefit.
“We almost gave up hope, but now that we have the money, we will take care of all our father left behind,’’ she said.
Also, Ibrahim Kukoyi, commended the police authorities for the gesture.
“I did not expect the money to come this early; I was thinking it will take up to three years.
“This is a good development in the police and this is also evidence that the authorities are passionate about the welfare of deceased officers’ families,’’ he said. (NAN)
