The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has disbursed cheques totaling ₦40,360,075.66 to the families and next of kin of 45 deceased police officers in Osun State, honoring those who lost their lives in the line of duty and underscoring the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to supporting its fallen heroes' loved ones.
The presentation ceremony unfolded on Wednesday at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters on Ring Road, Osogbo, where Deputy Commissioner of Police (Finance and Administration) Adebisi Lateef, standing in for State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, handed over the cheques on behalf of the IGP.
This initiative falls under the Nigeria Police Group Life Assurance Scheme and the IGP's Family Welfare Package, designed to deliver financial benevolence and emotional relief to families grappling with profound loss amid the perilous demands of policing in Nigeria's volatile security landscape.
The beneficiaries—spouses, children, and dependents of the 45 officers—received the funds as a lifeline to cover immediate needs, education, and sustenance, reflecting the scheme's role in mitigating the hardships faced by families of personnel killed during operations against banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes.
While specific names of the fallen officers were not disclosed in the official release, the group represents a cross-section of Osun's rank-and-file who perished over recent years, from routine patrols to high-stakes interventions.
In his address, read by Lateef, CP Gotan urged the recipients to invest the resources wisely, viewing them as a "seed for growth and stability."
He invoked prayers for the eternal rest of the departed souls in paradise and extended heartfelt gratitude to IGP Egbetokun for the "altruistic gesture."
"This welfare package reaffirms our unyielding dedication to the well-being of our personnel and their families, ensuring that no sacrifice goes unnoticed or unrewarded," Gotan emphasized, vowing that the Osun Command would perpetuate the memory of these brave officers through continued service and integrity.
The event, coordinated by the command's spokesperson, ASP Abiodun Ojelabi, drew quiet applause from attendees, including senior officers and a few family representatives who shared tearful stories of resilience.
One widow, speaking anonymously, described the payout as "a small comfort in an ocean of grief," highlighting how it would fund her children's schooling amid Osun's rising living costs, exacerbated by 34% national inflation.
The gesture aligns with broader NPF reforms under Egbetokun, who assumed office in June 2023 and has prioritized welfare enhancements, including a ₦25,000 monthly hardship allowance for operatives and expanded insurance coverage.
Nigeria's police force, stretched thin with over 400 officers killed nationwide since 2020 per official tallies, has long faced criticism for inadequate support systems.
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