The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc, on Tuesday, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari released over N15 billion to pay death benefits and settlements to the families of slain and injured Police Officers due for up to 10 years.
The IGP made this known at a workshop training organized by Nigeria Police Force Insurance Unit for its Officers at Goodluck Jonathan Peace Conference Hall, Abuja.
According to the IGP, under his leadership, the Unit has been able to settle a total of 9,577 claims from the four insurance schemes amounting to Thirteen Billion, One Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty-Eight Naira (N13,199,779,848:00) despite the challenges.
Delay in paying insurance claims to families and next of kin of retired, slain, or injured Police Officers has been a major issue for the Police even with its four insurance schemes funded by the Federal Government and the instrumentality of the NPF Insurance Unit.
The IGP, who cited an example of a family he knew that had to wait for about 14 months before they could get their benefit, assured that better days are ahead concerning the timely resolution of claims and benefits as well as other welfare schemes to members of the Force.
The need to ensure that the Insurance Desk Officers have a full grasp of their expected roles as they deal with individuals, mostly orphans and widows, prompted the Police authorities to organize the workshop.
IGP Baba presented cheques to some next of kin of Officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
One of the beneficiaries, Ejeh Chris, told CrimeFighters that his brother, Sergeant Ejeh Raymond, died in the line of duty on November 7, 2021. According to him, the process of receiving the claims was not challenging and has brought some form of succor to his family.
Meanwhile, the IGP noted that he had approved the establishment and incorporation of the Nigeria Police Insurance Company (NPIC).
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