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The Nigeria Police Force has disbursed N2.317 billion in insurance and welfare benefits to 2,971 families and next-of-kin of officers who died in the line of duty.
Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu presented the cheques to the beneficiaries in Abuja on Thursday, covering claims from the 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 insurance policy years.
Disu said the payments totalled N2,317,177,094 and included outstanding balances recovered from insurance companies after earlier partial settlements.
He described the payments as legitimate entitlements owed to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, saying the Force remained committed to supporting them.
“Today, I am pleased to present benefits to 2,971beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased Police Officers amounting to N2,317,177,094.00.
“Beyond the financial value of these cheques, this exercise carries an important message: the Nigeria Police Force will not abandon the families of those who paid the supreme price in our service,” Disu said.
The IGP said the challenging security environment had resulted in the deaths of several police personnel during attacks and operations across the country.
He recalled officers killed in Buni-Yadi, Yobe State; members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit who died during a rescue mission in Zamfara State; and 10 personnel who were recently ambushed and killed during an operation in Kebbi State.
Disu said the sacrifices of the officers showed the risks associated with policing and the burden their families continued to bear following their deaths.
He expressed sympathy to the beneficiaries, acknowledging that the financial benefits could not replace their loved ones but represented the institutional responsibility owed to the families and recognition of the sacrifices made by the deceased officers.
Disu urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously, particularly towards the education and welfare of children and other dependants left behind.
He said the welfare of police personnel remained a priority of his administration, adding that efforts would continue to improve working conditions, healthcare, accommodation and other legitimate benefits for officers and their families.
The IGP also commended the Force’s insurance partners and urged them to settle claims promptly, noting that timely payments could provide an important lifeline for families that had lost their breadwinners.
Disu further disclosed that the Force Insurance Unit had visited six commands and more than 50 divisions and formations in the Federal Capital Territory over the past two months to sensitise personnel about their insurance benefits.
He said the exercise was designed to ensure that serving officers and their families understood the procedures for accessing available insurance benefits and other entitlements.
