IGP Presents N2.3bn to 2,971 Next-of-Kin of Deceased Police Officers

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Thursday presented cheques totalling N2.317 billion to 2,971 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased police officers under the Group Life Assurance, Group Personal Accident and IGP Family Welfare Schemes.

The presentation, held in Abuja, covered insurance policy years 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2024/2025.

The beneficiaries are families of police officers who died while in service, with some of the payments representing outstanding balances recovered from insurance companies after earlier partial settlements.

Disu said the exercise was not simply about distributing financial benefits but also about recognising the sacrifices of officers who lost their lives while serving the country.

“Today, we are not merely presenting cheques; we are honouring the memory of Police Officers who gave their lives in service to our nation and reaffirming our commitment to the families they left behind,” the IGP said.

He noted that every officer being honoured was first a member of a family before joining the Nigeria Police Force, describing the deceased personnel as fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters who willingly accepted the risks associated with policing.

According to him, the Force has a responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that their families are not abandoned.

Disu said the N2,317,177,094 being disbursed represented legitimate entitlements arising from the service and sacrifice of the fallen officers.

He stressed that the financial benefits were particularly important to families that had lost their breadwinners, even though no monetary payment could compensate for the loss of a loved one.

“To the families and next-of-kin receiving these benefits today, I extend my deepest sympathies. No amount of money can replace the loved one you have lost,” he said.

The IGP encouraged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously, particularly for sustainable needs such as the education, welfare and future prospects of children and other dependants left behind.

He also recalled the difficult security environment in which police personnel operate, noting that the Force had lost several officers in the line of duty across the country.

Among the incidents he cited were attacks on personnel at Buni-Yadi in Yobe State, the death of members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit during a rescue mission in Zamfara State, and the recent ambush in Kebbi State in which 10 police personnel were killed.

Disu said the sacrifices of the fallen officers underscored the risks involved in protecting lives and property, adding that their families often bear the greatest burden following their deaths.

He reiterated that personnel welfare remained a cardinal priority of his administration, arguing that an institution that demands courage, discipline, loyalty and sacrifice from its officers must also demonstrate commitment to their wellbeing and that of their families.

“Our officers work under difficult and often dangerous conditions. They respond to emergencies when others seek safety; they work through nights, weekends and public holidays; and many spend considerable periods away from their families in the service of the nation,” he said.

The IGP said the Force would continue to pursue measures aimed at improving personnel welfare, working conditions, healthcare, accommodation and other legitimate benefits due to serving officers and their families.

He also pledged to strengthen mechanisms for the faster processing and payment of such benefits.

Disu commended the Force’s insurance partners for their cooperation, urging them to fulfil their obligations promptly.

He described insurance benefits as more than commercial claims, noting that for families who have lost their breadwinners, such payments could serve as a critical lifeline.

“Timely settlement therefore has a direct bearing on the welfare and stability of these families,” he said.

The IGP equally commended personnel of the Force Insurance Unit for improving awareness and access to insurance benefits.

He disclosed that the unit had, within the preceding two months, visited six Commands and more than 50 divisions and formations within the Federal Capital Territory to sensitise personnel on their insurance entitlements and the procedures for accessing them.

Disu said he had directed the unit to intensify the sensitisation programme across other Commands and Formations to ensure that serving personnel and their families understood the benefits available to them.

He urged serving police officers and men to draw inspiration from the courage of their fallen colleagues and remain committed to professionalism, integrity and dedication in the discharge of their duties.

The IGP also assured families of deceased officers that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to supporting them through legitimate avenues and ensuring that the sacrifices of their loved ones continued to be recognised.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the fallen officers and for strength for their families, while seeking continued protection for serving personnel across the country.