Usman Alkali Baba, the IGP of the police, started handing out checks on Thursday to cover insurance benefits for officers who died while performing their duties as well as those who sustained various types of life-threatening injuries while performing their duties.
Approximately 7000 families of deceased officers and those who were hurt or rendered incapacitated in the line of duty between 2012 and 2020 received checks from the IGP totaling more than 13 billion naira during an event held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
These backlog payments were made possible through the IGP’s passionate drive to ensure that Police Officers are adequately catered for in the event of injury or permanent disability due to the risks associated with policing, and that families of deceased police officers are adequately catered for in the absence of their breadwinners.
The IGP while reiterating the value of human life and wholeness, emphasized that prompt payment of insurance and other benefits due to officers who have met with some misfortunes due to the risky nature of policing in our contemporary environment and unforeseen hazards of policing, would greatly boost their morale and ensure they put in their best in service to the nation.
According to him, “On my assumption in office in April 2021, my attention was drawn to this development. Consequently, an urgent representation was made to Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari requesting for the release of funds to enable us pay all outstanding claims to the families of deceased Police Officers.
“It was with great relief that Mr. President appreciated my representation and graciously approved the release of the sum of 13,628,535,580.00k to pay the backlog of a total of 6,184 personnel that had previously fallen under the uninsured and uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, covering from Year 2012 – 2020.
“While sympathizing with the families of the deceased Officers, knowing that nothing will bring back their loved ones, I urge you all to judiciously utilize this funds in training your children and be rest assured that the Force under my leadership will continue to do more in advancing you welfare interests and that of serving personnel,” he said.
The IGP further promised better welfare packages for members of the police family either serving, retired, or slain in the line of duty, so as to cement the already existing esprit de corps amongst the components of the police family.
