Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu on Thursday presented 39 cheques totalling N160 million to families of policemen who were killed across the country during last October #EndSARS protests.
Adamu, who made the presentation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said the gesture was a clear statement that the Nigeria Police would not abandon the families of colleagues who gallantly laid down their lives in the service of the country.
The police chief said the Force Insurance Unit was able to process and pay the entitlements of the police officers in record time.
He noted that even though a policing career is unique, it is unfortunately a high risk operation.
Adamu stressed that in line with this, he evolved initiatives to motivate police personnel and strengthen their protection protocols.
The police boss said he ordered the promotion of personnel that were injured as well as organise posthumous promotions for slain personnel.
“Today, we shall be presenting 39 cheques of group life insurance and the IGP Welfare Scheme amounting to N160,153,998 to families of officers killed during the #EndSARS protests. I do appreciate that no monetary reward can compensate for the lives of loved ones and breadwinners, but our prayers are with families of affected officers,” he said.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the money judiciously in meeting the training and welfare needs of the children and wives of the late officers.
Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed hailed the police management for prioritising the welfare of officers.
Mohammed, who announced that property estimated at N1 trillion was destroyed in Lagos State alone, said 37 officers and 186 others were injured in the protests nationwide.
He said 164 police vehicles were vandalised, 134 police stations were destroyed, 264 public and private buildings were vandalised and 31 warehouses were looted.