The Nigeria Police Force has released N2.3 billion in insurance and welfare benefits to 2,971 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of police officers who died in service, covering insurance policy years from 2017 to 2025.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu presented the cheques to the beneficiaries on Thursday in Abuja under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance, Group Personal Accident and IGP Family Welfare Schemes.
The payments cover the 2017/2018 through 2024/2025 insurance policy years and are intended to settle financial entitlements arising from the deaths and sacrifices of police personnel while serving the country.
Disu said the latest disbursement was more than a financial transaction, describing it as an indication that the police institution remained committed to supporting the families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“Beyond the financial values of these cheques, this exercise carries an important message: the Nigeria Police Force will not abandon the families of those who paid the supreme price in service,” the police chief said.
He acknowledged the difficult security conditions under which police personnel operate, noting that officers continue to face significant risks in the course of their duties across the country.
According to him, although financial compensation could not replace the lives lost, settling the benefits was an institutional responsibility to the families left behind.
The IGP urged recipients to manage the funds prudently and consider investing them in long-term needs, particularly the education, welfare and future of children and other dependants of the deceased officers.
“The welfare of police personnel remains a cardinal priority of our administration,” Disu said, stressing that an institution that expects courage, discipline, loyalty and sacrifice from its personnel must also demonstrate a strong commitment to the welfare of officers and their families.
Latest payment follows earlier N2.4bn disbursement
Thursday’s exercise comes roughly five months after another major payment by the Nigeria Police Force to families of deceased personnel.
In March, the police authorities disbursed N2.4 billion to 1,075 beneficiaries and next-of-kin of officers who died while in active service. That exercise covered several outstanding insurance policy years and included recoveries relating to insurance obligations that had remained unpaid for years.
The latest disbursement further highlights efforts by the police authorities to address outstanding insurance and welfare obligations owed to families of fallen officers.
Welfare concerns remain significant
The payments come as the welfare of Nigeria’s security personnel continues to attract attention amid persistent insecurity across the country.
The Federal Government has also approved salary increases of between 30% and 80% for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces, with the revised pay structure taking effect from September 1, 2026. About 250,000 military personnel are expected to benefit from the adjustment.
The renewed emphasis on remuneration, insurance and other welfare benefits comes against the backdrop of continuing security threats.
Data from SBM Intelligence cited in the report showed that 7,825 people were kidnapped across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, with 1,411 kidnapping incidents recorded during the period.
With security personnel continuing to operate in high-risk environments, payments to the families of officers killed in service form part of broader efforts to strengthen welfare provisions for those serving in Nigeria’s security agencies.
