The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase, Wednesday said about 90,000 police officers and men lost their lives since the insurgency started four years ago.
Arase made the disclosure to newsmen shortly after addressing men and officers at the Police Command headquarters in Sokoto.
He stated that the Police had a record of about 90,000 widows who lost their husbands since the insurgency began in the North-east.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force had initiated a scheme to cater for the families of officers who lost their lives while on duty in the North-east.
The Inspector General disclosed that a scholarship scheme had been set up to take care of the children of slain officers.
“We have incorporated a scholarship scheme for the children of our officers who lost their lives in the North-east. This is to ensure that they will continue with their studies so as to enable them achieve their potential,”Arase stated.
He noted that the total number of men and officers in the Police Force were currently inadequate to effectively protect the lives and property of the citizens.
Arase to this end, said efforts were being made to recruit more personnel to further enhance the activities of the Police in crime prevention and boosting security.
He stated that the Police in conjunction with the United Nations Habitat were making arrangements to build 25,000 for officers, inspectors and rank and file across Nigeria.
He said this was part of efforts to provide housing for men and officers of the Police so that they would have a place to live after retirement. – Thisday.
