On Monday,Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode presented cheque totaling N55 million to the families of security officers who lost their lives in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu after an ambush unleashed on them by militants.
The families of four police officers that died during the operation got N10 million each, while an officer who sustained injury during the attack and still recuperating in the hospital, Sgt. Alexandra Ugadu got N5million. A cheque of N10 million was also presented to the family of a military officer Capt. A Mohammed who lost his life during the attack. The officers were killed after successfully rescuing kidnapped victims kept in the riverine area by the militants.
The police officers’ whose families benefited from the death insurance scheme of the State Government are late Insp. Godwin Iroagbalahi, Insp. Francis Pemi, Sgt. Mamuda Dembo and Sgt. Idor Ekoro.
According to Gov. Ambode at the presentation ceremony, the move is to show appreciation to the sacrifice made by the late officers to ensuring the safety of the residents of the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, represented the Governor, he said the donation was in line with the pledge to review insurance benefits to security operatives in the State.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, represented the Governor, he said the donation was in line with the pledge to review insurance benefits to security operatives in the State.
“This is to appreciate what the gallant officers have done; they sacrificed their lives in the course of protecting several of us and we have to appreciate them. As a matter of fact, if we don’t do this, who will? The Governor has always said that we must continue to appreciate those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our lives because they died for us.
“We must continue to appreciate them because if we don’t do this, who will be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for our safety? The officers are sent out to protect us and when they are going, they are not even sure of coming back and having paid the supreme sacrifice, should we leave them just like that, definitely not and it is in appreciation of what they have done that we are doing this,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni thanked Governor Ambode and the State Government for the donations, which he described as a moral booster, saying that the gesture would go a long way in motivating officers.