No fewer than 41 families of security operatives who fell victim to insecurity in the South East region have received a total of N37 million and relief materials such as several bags of rice and other food items from the Peace Fund Committee.
The committee, an offshoot of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu’s Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), aimed to restore peace in the region through non-violent means.
The Fund Committee was launched after the brutal murder of two soldiers in Aba, Abia State mid 2024 and has since visited Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi states in the region, providing support to families affected by insecurity.
It will be recalled that Kalu had at the time after his condolence visit to 144 Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State donated N10 million families of the soldiers.
Rounding off its visit in Anambra State on Monday, the Peace Fund also distributed cash and food items to families of 6 slain policemen, with each of the families receiving N1 million.
A policeman, Inspector Sunday Eze who was injured in the line of duty also received from the Fund N200,000 to cover his hospital bills.
The recipients of the Peace Fund outreach in Anambra State, including Susan Nse Udo, Ebele Kalu Ngozi, Umew Amarachi, Ani Chinenye Anthonia, Ocheji Clement and Charity Orhue also expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Deputy Speaker and the Peace Fund, noting that the gift will go a long way in assuaging their suffering.
Speaking at the Anambra State Police Command Headquarters, Amawbia, venue of the outreach, the Chairman of the Fund, Daniel Akwari noted that the Peace Fund was set up by the Deputy Speaker to provide succor to families left behind by security officers.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Fund, Mary Ikoku, commiserated with the widows, stating that although no amount of money would be enough to replace their husbands, the Peace Fund has come to help alleviate their plights.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command, Nnaghe Obono Itam, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Speaker and the Peace Fund team for remembering the families of slain policemen in the State.
He called on other well-meaning individuals to emulate the Peace Fund in providing succor to families.
The police boss reiterated that policing was a collective responsibility of Government and the citizenry, assuring that his men will continue to live up to expectations in securing the lives of the people.
Similarly, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor who commended Kalu for the initiative noted that the activities of the Peace Fund were in line with the objective of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is doing a lot to ensure peace and security in the State.
He also pledged the support of the state government for the initiative, recognizing its alignment with the state’s objectives of promoting peace and security.
In a statement, the Publicity Secretary of the Peace Fund, Sam Hart hinted that having covered the entire South East region, the Fund is set to proceed to other parts of the country ravaged by insecurity.
He also solicited the support of well spirited Nigerians to reach other areas.
