IG presents N2.86bn cheque to deceased police officers’ families
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has presented cheques amounting to N2.86bn to 785 beneficiaries and next of kin of police officers who died in active service.
The money is a package under the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Scheme.
The cheques which were presented to the beneficiaries at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on Thursday, comprised of beneficiaries from 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2021/2022, and 2023 fiscal year.
The IG, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment towards the well-being of police officers, charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
Egbetokun said, “We appreciate the stewardship of President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment towards the well-being of police officers, and we urge the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
“We understand that no amount of money can bring back the lives of the officers lost, but this will help to cushion the effects of the gaps left behind.”
The Force Insurance Officer, CSP Lydia Ameh, stated that the cheque disbursement was made possible due to the IG who felt the pains of the families of the deceased personnel who were facing delay in payment of their insurance money.
She noted, “My sincere appreciation goes to the Inspector-General of Police, whose commitment, valued guidance, and extraordinary leadership role are crucial in ensuring that the Force cleared pending insurance claims which has resulted in the presentation of Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Scheme cheques to 785 next of kins/beneficiaries of our brave officers and men who lost their lives while on active duty for the Insurance Policy Years of 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023, amounting to N2,086,801,144.79 which will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the families of our departed colleagues.
“It is pertinent to mention that this was made possible because of the paternal affection of the inspector-general of police who felt the pains the families of our deceased personnel might be facing due to the delay in payment of insurance claims and directed that I interface with the insurance companies who were not paying claims. These meetings eventually yielded positive results as we now have cheques for 2015/2016, 2017/2018, 2021/2022 which have been pending for some years now without payment, and for the 2022/2023 policy year for the presentation today.
“While I share the feelings of the families of our deceased officers and men, I wish to express my gratitude to the inspector-general of police and his management team for their efforts which extend beyond procurement of the 2022/2023 insurance policy but include the complete settlement of all pending payments from previous years.”
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Donald Awunah Jnr, son of a former Force Public Relations Officer, AIG Donald Awunah, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Egbetokun for his kind gesture and prioritising the welfare of the families of the fallen heroes.
