From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, Monday presented a total of N1.594 billion to 727 families of police officers who died in active serving between 2018/2019, 2020/2021 and 2022/2023.
The presentation which under the Group Life Assurance and IGP Family Welfare Scheme package of the Nigerian Police Force according to the IGP, will be disbursed in five distinct categories.
At the presentation ceremony held at the police force headquarters in Abuja, the IGP, said Cheque of 55.7million Naira would be paid to 311 beneficiaries for remaning Life assurance balance for the year 2021/ 2022, and Cheques of 761 million Naira to 178 beneficiaries for the 15 and 17 batches of Life Assurance 2021/2022, while Cheques of 567million to 78 beneficiaries of a full life assurance policy payment for the year 2022/2023. He also said that 96.8million would be paid to 86 beneficiaries for batch 5 of the year 2018/ 2019 and lastly, 113.2million Naira for the 100% full payment for 100 beneficiaries 2022/ 2023.
He said that so far, N3 billion have been disbursed to 2514 families of departed police officers which stands as a testament to the unwavering leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to protect the welfare of its personnel.
According to him, “This occasion represents the fifth installment in the ongoing series of cheque presentations since the beginning of this administration, and notably, the second such event in the year 2024. Today’s ceremony stands as a poignant testament to the unwavering dedication of the current police leadership towards the welfare of the families of our fallen colleagues. It serves as a solemn pledge to all serving personnel that neither the nation nor the Force will abandon them.
He said “Today, we are poised to distribute cheques across five distinct categories, reflecting our diverse commitment to the beneficiaries.
i. The first category comprises cheques amounting to Fifty-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand, Forty Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo (₦55,763,040.95) for Three Hundred and Eleven (311) beneficiaries. This represents the remaining 5% balance of the Group Life Assurance Policy payments, Batches 9 & 10, for the 2021/2022 insurance year.
ii. The second category includes cheques totaling Seven Hundred and Sixty-One Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-Six Naira, Nineteen Kobo (₦761,497,696.19) for One Hundred and Seventy-Eight (178) beneficiaries. These are 90% of the Group Life Assurance policy payments, Batches 15 & 17 for the 2021/2022 insurance year.
iii. The third category features cheques in the sum of Five Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Five Hundred and One Thousand, Thirty-Nine Naira (₦567,501,039.72), designated for Seventy-Eight (78) beneficiaries as the full 100% Group Life Assurance policy payment for Batch 9 of the 2022/2023 insurance year.
iv. The fourth category entails cheques totaling Ninety-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Naira, Eighty Kobo (₦96,863,374.80) for Eighty-Six (86) beneficiaries, corresponding to 32% of the Group Life Assurance policy payment for Batch 5 of the 2018/2019 insurance year.
v. The fifth and final category includes cheques amounting to One Hundred and Thirteen Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦113,200,000.00), ensuring 100% payment for One Hundred and Forty-Nine (149) beneficiaries in connection with the IGP Family Welfare Scheme, Batches 6 & 7, for the 2022/2023 policy year.
“Through this most recent initiative, the Force has, over the past nine months, collectively disbursed cheques amounting to Seven Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand, Fifty-One Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo (N7,263,391,051.73) to Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Fourteen (2,514) families of our departed officers. This gesture underscores our deep-seated commitment to honoring the legacy and sacrifice of those who served with valor.
While sympathizing with the families of the deceased personnel, the IGP, said “ we fully acknowledge that the loss of a family’s primary provider is a profound tragedy that brings significant hardships, including financial strains. It is our fervent hope that the financial support provided through these cheques today will offer some measure of relief during these trying times, as we stand with you in remembrance and respect for your loved ones.
“To the dependents of our other late colleagues who have yet to receive their complete entitlements or be included in our records, I want to provide a steadfast assurance. This administration is fully committed to resolving all pending claims and backlogs that existed before June 2023, when we assumed office. We vow to continue our efforts without pause until every due benefit has been rightfully disbursed.