Lagos Police pays N89.2m claims to families of 157 fallen Officers

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Police Command has presented cheques totalling N89.2 million to families and next-of-kin of 157 police officers who died while serving under the Command.

The cheques, valued at N89,201,523.07, represent claims under the welfare and insurance schemes of the Nigeria Police Force, aimed at providing financial support to families of officers who lost their lives in the course of service.

The presentation was made on Thursday at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai.

Fatai said the financial support could not replace the lives of the deceased officers, but demonstrated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the welfare of its personnel and the families they left behind.

According to him, the gesture, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, was also intended to honour the sacrifices of officers who lost their lives in the course of duty.

The Commissioner sympathised with the beneficiaries and urged them to make judicious use of the funds, particularly towards the welfare and education of the children and other dependants of the deceased officers.

He also reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to facilitating the prompt processing of legitimate claims due to families of deceased personnel, assuring serving officers that their welfare and that of their families remained a priority of the Force.

Fatai noted that although no financial provision could replace a loved one, the payment would provide some measure of relief to the affected families and reinforce the assurance that the sacrifices of fallen officers had not been forgotten.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, adding that the Lagos State Police Command appreciated the Inspector-General of Police for the intervention.

The Command also extended its heartfelt sympathy and continued solidarity to the beneficiaries.