.As Peace Fund distributes relief items to families of deceased police officers
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has warned the public against dismissive attitude towards the office of the Inspector- General of Police (I-G).
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh gave the warning in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Adeh said the warning followed utterances by a of House of Representative member, Mr Alexander Ikwegh during an altercation with a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya.
She said preliminary investigations had shown that Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery.
According to her, during this altercation, Abuwatseya was reportedly assaulted physically.
Adeh said the report of the incident that occurred on October 27 at a residence on Zamfara Crescent in Maitama area of Abuja, was received at the Maitama Police Divisional Headquarters.
“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the I-G following the incident.
“After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector -General of Police,” demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.
“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” she said.
She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr. Olatunji Disu had mandated a thorough investigation into the matter.
Adeh pledged the commitment of the command to conduct an impartial investigation and ensuring that justice was served in the case.
The spokesperson said appropriate legal action would be taken upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Peace Fund for Victims of Insecurity in Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organization, has distributed cash and other relief supplies to families of 10 deceased police officers in Imo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the families received a cheque for the sum of N 1 million, 20 10kg bags of parboiled rice and some condiments, in Owerri on Monday.
The Secretary of the Peace Fund for Victims of Insecurity, Mrs Mary Ikoku, said that the Fund was created to provide succour to families of security officials who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
“Although the gesture is an initiative of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Fund has attracted the support of other well-meaning Nigerians who have donated generously to the Fund,” Ikoku said.
She added that the fund, in addition to the palliatives, would provide emotional and psycho-social support to widows of the deceased officers, when needed.
“ In June 2024, We officially started the distribution of relief aids and cash to families of gallant officers who died in the line of duty and so far, we have been to Abia and Imo states, and will proceed to other states of the southeast.
“ We also interface with the police in each state of our operations, to get their support and buy-in as well as get necessary records from them to determine eligible persons for the relief aids”, she said.
Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary of the Fund, Mr Sam Hart, thanked the Police Command in Imo for working toward the success of the mission.
He noted that synergy between the security agencies and the civil populace is necessary to foster a new paradigm in the country.
In a remark, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma, urged well meaning Nigerians to donate to the Fund as it will serve as a morale booster to serving Policemen.
“This will show that their families will not be forgotten should they pay the ultimate price in the line of duty,” he said
The commissioner noted that the Police, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have rolled out a number of laudable welfare schemes to support serving and deceased Policemen.
One of the beneficiaries, a widow of a deceased officer, Mrs. Chinwendu Akubueze, said the gift items went beyond her expectations and prayed God’s blessings on the Fund, its donors and the Nigeria Police Force.
NAN reports that Deputy Speaker Kalu had, in June 2024, inaugurated a seven-man Peace Fund Committee to help raise financial assistance for the victims of insecurity in the South-east region and Nigeria as a whole.
Kalu had kick-started the activities of the Fund by donating N10 million during his condolence visit to the families of soldiers who were killed in action at the144 Battalion Headquarters in Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
Also present at the event were representatives of the Police Officers Wives Association and the Late Police Officers Wives Association in Imo.
