The Nigeria Police Force has paid N2.317 billion in insurance and welfare benefits to 2,971 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of deceased police officers. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, presented the cheques to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Abuja, describing the payment as an expression of the Force’s responsibility towards families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Disu said the beneficiaries were covered under insurance policy years including 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2024/2025. He disclosed that the payments amounted to exactly N2,317,177,094 and included outstanding balances recovered from insurance companies following earlier partial settlements.
The IGP noted that the security environment remained challenging, with several police personnel losing their lives 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 expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased officers, acknowledging that no financial compensation could replace their loved ones. However, he said the payments represented the institutional responsibility owed to the families and served as a practical expression of appreciation for the sacrifices made by the fallen officers. He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously, particularly for the education and welfare of children and other dependants.
The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed that the welfare of police personnel and their families remained a priority of his administration. He pledged continued efforts to improve the working conditions, healthcare, accommodation and other legitimate benefits available to officers and their families, while urging the Force’s insurance partners to settle claims promptly, describing insurance benefits as an important lifeline for families who had lost their breadwinners.
