The Inspector General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase has disclosed that an estimated 90,000 police officers lost their lives since Boko Haram insurgency started four years ago.
Arase made this known to journalists shortly after addressing men and officers at the police command headquarters in Sokoto, the Sokoto State capital.
Revealing that the police had a record of about 90,000 widows who lost their husbands since the insurgency began in the North-east, he stressed that the Nigeria Police Force had initiated a scheme to cater for the family of officers who lost their lives while on duty in the North-east.
The IGP 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 continue with their studies so as to enable them achieve their potential,” he stated.
Arase 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.
In view of this, he posited that 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 houses for officers, inspectors and rank and file across Nigeria.
The police boss 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.
While reiterating his commitment to the welfare of men and officers, Arase charged them to rededicate themselves to their duties by shunning corruption.
“It is true that our numeric strength is not sufficient but we are going to bring in more people. What I am emphasising is that every Nigerian should be security conscious, and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Arase further declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was determined to address the problems of the Nigeria Police Force.
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