The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has presented cheques of N13 billion to the families of deceased and injured officers.
The inspector-general of police, IGP Usman Baba, who presented the cheques to the families of police officers killed between 2012 to 2019, said this act will assist the families in taking care of the responsibilities left behind by the deceased.
The IGP said about 6,184 families of slain and injured personnel will benefit from the payment.
The IGP also said the cheque covers insurance for personnel who got injured while carrying out their duties in the same period.
Speaking at the function at the Force headquarters, Abuja, the IGP said this occasion “marks the presentation of cheques to personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and those who have suffered from disabilities during their service to their Fatherland.”
He said, “It should be noted that the Group Life Assurance Scheme which was introduced as a result of the Pension Reform Act 2004 and amended in 2014 and the Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme are welfare packages fully funded by the federal government for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
“However, due to paucity of funds, the federal government could not fund the schemes successfully and this created gaps which led to a backlog of unpaid insurance claims from 2012 to 2020.
“On my assumption in office in April 2021, my attention was drawn to this development. Consequently, an urgent representation was made to 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 N13,628,535,580 to pay the backlog of a total of 6,184 personnel that had previously fallen under the uninsured/uncovered periods of Group Life Assurance and Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, covering from Year 2012 – 2020.”
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