The Kano State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦7,573,231.83 to the families and next of kin of 17 police officers who died while performing their duties.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Bakori, presented the cheques on Monday at the command headquarters in Bompai, Kano.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the payments were made under the Nigeria Police Force’s Group Life Assurance Scheme.

The statement said the disbursement formed part of the welfare package introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to support the families of officers who lost their lives in the course of service.

Presenting the cheques on behalf of the inspector-general, Bakori said the initiative demonstrated that the sacrifices made by deceased officers would not be forgotten.

He reaffirmed the force’s commitment to the welfare of serving personnel and the families of officers who died in active service, adding that the benefits were among the entitlements available to dependants under the police welfare scheme.

Bakori urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and maintain relationships with the friends and associates of their deceased relatives.

He also assured them that the command would continue to prioritise the welfare of officers and men, while ensuring the timely processing and payment of entitlements due to families of deceased and injured personnel.

The commissioner disclosed that the command was planning additional welfare packages for families of fallen officers.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Ado Sule, who received a cheque on behalf of his deceased wife, thanked the inspector-general and the state commissioner for the support. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers.

Members of the command’s management team, senior police officers and relatives of the deceased attended the presentation.

The payment forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to provide financial assistance to families who lose their loved ones in the line of duty.