The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on Thursday presented insurance benefit cheques worth ₦2,317,177,094 to 2,971 next of kin and beneficiaries of police officers who died in the line of duty.
Speaking at a solemn ceremony at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the police chief affirmed that the gesture was far more than a routine administrative duty.
Instead, he framed it as a sacred institutional obligation to ensure the ultimate sacrifices of fallen heroes are never forgotten.
“We are not merely presenting checks,” Disu declared to a hall filled with grieving families, senior officers, and insurance representatives.
He said, “We are honouring the memories of police officers who gave their lives in service to our nation and affirming our commitment to the families they left behind”.
Highlighting the human story behind the uniforms, the IGP reminded the gathering that every fallen officer was first a cherished member of a home before joining the nation’s security architecture.
“Every officer represented here today was a member of a family before becoming a member of the Nigeria Police Force.
They were fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters who carried personal hopes and responsibilities, yet chose to serve a nation that demanded courage and sacrifice from them,” he noted.
The ₦2.31 billion disbursement covers claims spanning multiple insurance policy periods—from 2017 through 2025—under the Group Life Assurance Scheme, Group Personal Accident Scheme, and the IGP Family Welfare Scheme.
Disu explained that the payout includes vital balance recoveries from insurance firms following previous partial settlements.
Addressing the widows, orphans, and relatives directly, Disu acknowledged that no amount of monetary compensation could replace their loss, but vowed that the Force would remain a permanent pillar of support.
“No amount of money can replace the loved ones you have lost,” he said.
The IGP said, “However, this payment represents the institutional responsibility we owe to you and a practical expression of our appreciation… The Nigeria Police Force will not abandon the families of those who paid the supreme price in our service. We will not abandon you”.
Disu reflected on the increasingly hazardous security landscape across the country, citing recent tragedies where officers were killed in action—including tactical personnel ambushed in Kebbi, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operatives lost during a rescue operation in Zamfara State, and officers attacked in Bunza, Yobe State.
“Their courage reminds us of the demands of policing and the price our personnel sometimes pay to protect others’ lives and property,” Disu stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to manage the funds prudently, prioritising the long-term education, welfare, and stability of the children left behind.
Turning to insurance underwriters, Disu charged them with treating claims not as standard commercial transactions but as lifelines for surviving families.
He also instructed the Force Insurance Unit to intensify sensitisation campaigns across all state commands and formations, ensuring that serving personnel and their families fully understand their entitlements.
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