Police Pay N39.9m To Families Of 51 Deceased Officers, Arrest 6 Suspects In Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Police Force has presented a welfare package totalling N39,967,409.28 to 51 families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers in Akwa Ibom State.

The beneficiaries, comprising families of officers who died in active service and those who were killed by criminal elements, received the assistance on Thursday at the headquarters of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo.

Presenting the funds on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Azare, said the gesture reflected the Force’s commitment to supporting families of officers who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Azare acknowledged that no financial assistance could replace the lives of the deceased officers, but said the intervention demonstrated the Force’s appreciation of their sacrifices and its responsibility to support their families.

“While no amount of money can replace the lives of our departed colleagues, this intervention demonstrates that the Nigeria Police Force has not forgotten their service, sacrifice or the families they left behind,” he said.

The commissioner conveyed the condolences of the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Akwa Ibom State Police Command to the bereaved families, assuring them of continued support and solidarity.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds prudently for the welfare, education and development of their families and dependants.

Azare also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening the welfare of serving and retired officers and supporting families of deceased personnel.

Meanwhile, the command said it had arrested six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery gang operating across Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Thursday during coordinated clearance operations in identified criminal hideouts across the three local government areas.

According to her, the operation, led by the officer in charge of the tactical team, followed sustained intelligence gathering and operational efforts to dismantle members and associates of the criminal network allegedly responsible for a series of criminal activities, particularly the theft and disposal of motorcycles and other valuable items.

The suspects were identified as Peter Sabbath, 34, of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area; Joseph Udo, 25, of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA; Victor Igwe, 23, of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, who was alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used in the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles; Boniface Essiet, 37, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, who was alleged to be a native doctor providing charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang; Simeon Udo, 47, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA; and Uko Akang of Asanting Village.

The police said Akang was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle.

Items recovered during the operation included two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, one suspected stolen motorcycle, local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor, as well as other materials relevant to the investigation.

The Command said investigations into the activities of the suspects were ongoing.