Nasarawa Massacre: Police Dole out N1m Each to Bereaved Families

IG OF POLICE, ABUBAKAR

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

It is perhaps a new dawn in the police force as compensation packages were doled out at the weekend to families who had lost their breadwinners during the massacre of policemen in Nasarawa State recently. This is even distinct from their formal terminal entitlements.

The bereaved families of the over 60 police officers of the Mobile Police Force, Squadron 38, who were killed in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, by the deadly militia group, Ombatse, have been given N1 million each as a prelude to the compensation process.

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, made this disclosure at the weekend during his assessment tour of the ongoing massive renovation at the Nigerian Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.

He however stressed that the monetary gift was not part of the entitlements and benefits due each of the deceased officers, which will be calculated according to their ranks. In the past, families of policemen who died on duty suffered prolonged delays in getting any form of compensation from the police authorities.

The police officers and personnel of the State Security Service (SSS) were dispatched on May 7, to dislodge the militia group but were ambushed based on a tip-off given to the group.

In the ensuing gun duel, over 60 police officers and 10 SSS personnel were caught in the gunfire, even as reports said that a number of officers are still missing. It was the rescue team that recovered ACP Mohammed Momoh's mutilated corpse alongside others.

On the security situation in Nasarawa State, Abubakar said investigations are ongoing to unravel the intricate details behind the death of the officers who were popularly known as the “Tiger Squadron”.

He said the situation was quite unfortunate. “We are still investigating, however, a cash of N1 million has been given to each deceased family to help them resettle. It is not part of the death benefits which they are entitled to.”

Speaking on the arrest of the two policemen who were accused of tipping off the militia group, the IG said they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Investigations by the police had unearthed allegations that the dreaded cult was tipped off by two police corporals, thereby giving them (cultists) the upper hand in the deadly clash.

The two corporals identified as Corporal Enugu and Haruna Joseph were alleged to have leaked the plan, strategy and route of the police squadron to the cultists.
But Abubakar said: “That they are arrested does not mean they are involved. They are suspects and only investigations can reveal those who actually leaked information to the sect that caused the killing of those policemen.”

Commending the laudable work done by the Nigerian Army Engineers unit at the Police College, Ikeja, through direct labour, Abubakar said he was satisfied with both the speed and quality of the work.

The Commander of the NA Engineers, Major General Funsho Owonibi, said that the rehabilitation on the Police College would be completed within two weeks.

He said: “We got marching orders from the federal government on February 5, 2013 and so we moved in on February 8. Now, we will hand over the college to the force in two weeks time. As you can see, 95 per cent of the job is already done.”