NIGERIA: Oyo Police Command Distributes N20.12 Billion To Widows Of Slain Officers

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Oyo State Police Command has disbursed a total of N20.12 billion in compensation to 7,076 widows of slain police officers in the state.

The presentation of cheques to the widows took place at the command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

During the presentation, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, confirmed that a total amount of Twenty Billion, One Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Naira, Seventy Kobo had been allocated for the widows of the fallen officers.

Adenola emphasised that the disbursement of these funds highlights the commitment of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, towards supporting the welfare of the dependents of deceased police officers.

He expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers, acknowledging the financial hardships that often accompany the sudden loss of a breadwinner. While noting that no amount of money could replace the lives lost, Adenola assured the widows that the funds would help ease their financial burdens during these challenging times.

He said, “To the families of our falling heroes, I extend our sincere condolences. We acknowledge the immense challenges, including financial burdens, that come with the sudden loss of a family breadwinner. While no amount can fully compensate for your loss, we stand in solidarity with you during this difficult time.

“It is our hope that the cheques being presented today (Tuesday) will provide some relief and support to you. We pray that they bring some comfort, particularly in this trying moment. To the dependents of our other deceased colleagues who are yet to be captured or paid their full entitlement, I wish to reassure you that the current police administration, under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, will not rest until all the outstanding backlog of claims are fully paid.”

In a bid to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the insurance claims process, Adenola highlighted the introduction of the Nigerian Police Insurance Claim Management Portal. The platform, initiated under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, aims to streamline insurance claims for police personnel and their families, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring that all claims are processed quickly.

He added: “As part of the Nigerian Police’s ongoing effort to improve service delivery, the Nigerian Police Force has introduced a major innovation in insurance claims processing through the Nigerian Police Insurance Claim Management Portal. Conceptualised under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, this cutting-edge platform is designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in claims administration.

“By harnessing technology, we are streamlining the process, eliminating bottlenecks, and ensuring beneficiaries receive their entitlements promptly. This initiative underscores our commitment to digital transformation and modernising our system for effective service delivery. I encourage all officers and personnel to fully utilise the portal and support its success. With insurance officers nationwide trained to administer the portal, we are forced to take our welfare administration to the next level.”

At the end of his speech, he commissioner thanked IGP Egbetokun for his continued dedication to the welfare of both serving officers and retirees, as well as the families of deceased colleagues.