Police promise free schooling for fallen officers’ children

The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to sponsoring the education of four children of deceased police personnel from primary to secondary school as part of efforts to improve officers’ welfare.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Administration and Finance, Suleiman Abdu, disclosed this on Monday in Sokoto during a meeting with critical stakeholders as part of his two-day operational visit to the Sokoto State Police Command.

Abdu said the initiative is among several welfare programmes introduced by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to enhance the welfare and operational efficiency of officers and men of the force across the country.

According to him, the police leadership has also taken steps to ensure the prompt payment of gratuities, pensions and other entitlements due to retired and deceased police personnel and their families.

“The current police management, under the leadership of the IGP, is fully committed to improving officers’ welfare through training, retraining and the provision of necessary equipment for effective policing across the country,” he said.

The DIG, who also coordinates police operations in the North-West, stressed that the protection of lives and property is a collective responsibility and urged Nigerians to support security agencies in tackling crime and insecurity.

He also called on police personnel to uphold discipline, professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.

“We must carry out our responsibilities with the fear of God. No citizen should be harassed or molested by any police officer,” he said.

Abdu noted that community cooperation remains crucial in addressing security challenges, adding that the police and the public must work together to promote accountability and build on successes recorded in crime prevention.

He further highlighted the strategic importance of Sokoto State in Nigeria’s security architecture and commended the support of the state government, the Sultanate Council and residents of the state.

Earlier, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, described the DIG’s visit as a significant step towards strengthening police operations and enhancing security in the state.

Shaffa commended the IGP for his commitment to modernising and professionalising the Nigeria Police Force.

He noted that Sokoto State remains a critical trade corridor with both local and international borders, a situation he said presents unique security challenges.

The commissioner also described Sokoto as the spiritual centre of Nigeria and the seat of the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

He thanked the state government for its continued support to the command through the provision of operational vehicles and financial assistance, which he said had significantly enhanced policing activities in the state.