The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday handed out insurance cheques worth more than ₦21.17 billion to 1,574 beneficiaries and next of kin of police officers who died while serving the nation between 2015 and 2025.
The presentation, held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, marked the 11th phase of the Police Insurance Scheme under his leadership.
Egbetokun said the payments were part of a wider effort to support families of fallen officers. He noted that since he became the 22nd Inspector-General of Police, the Force had disbursed a total of ₦24.2 billion to 9,735 families.
“These benefits cover policy years from 2015 to 2025, including recoveries of claims that had remained outstanding for close to a decade,” he said.
“Through persistent engagement, we redeemed these claims to ensure justice for the families who waited patiently for so long.”
The police chief described the gesture as more than an official duty.
“This is a sacred trust to honour the memory of our departed officers and provide support to their families,” he said. “The void left by your loved ones cannot be filled by any monetary sum. Yet, these cheques are a symbol of our gratitude and a pledge that you remain part of the Nigeria Police family.”
Egbetokun assured the beneficiaries that improving welfare for serving, retired, and deceased police personnel remains a top priority for his administration.
“We are redesigning the welfare system to make it stronger, more transparent, and more responsive,” he explained. “We are also digitising processes to ensure timely payment of entitlements.”
He commended the Police Insurance Unit for its professionalism and praised the insurance companies involved for meeting their obligations.
“To process and settle claims is not a favour but a duty. Only through prompt actions can we bring relief to our bereaved families and honour the memory of those who gave their all for this nation,” Egbetokun said.
He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting police welfare and the Ministry of Police Affairs for its guidance.
“The Nigeria Police Force does not abandon its own,” he said. “We honour the legacy of our fallen heroes through deliberate action.”
