JUST IN: Wike to give N220m to families of 11 slain policemen

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said the State will give N220 million to families of eleven policemen killed by gunmen during recent attacks on police formations in the State....CONTINUE READING>>>

Each family will get N20 million, according to Wike.

The governor, who announced this during a condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka and officers of the State Police Command on Monday, tasked them to henceforth be on offensive against those who perpetrated these heinous acts.

Wike, while addressing officers and men at the Police Officers Mess in Port Harcourt, said his visit was to commiserate with them over the death of some of their colleagues who lost their lives in line of duty while protecting the State.

He acknowledged that though no amount of money could equate to human life, the State’s gesture was aimed at assuaging the bereaved families that their loved ones never died in vain.

The governor described as heart-wrenching the unwarranted killing of policemen who were legitimately protecting lives and property of citizens of the country.

“In the past two to three weeks, we have lost eleven police officers and men. This is a dark period for us in the State,” he said.

He lamented that those who carried out the dastardly killings have cold-heartedly turned the wives of the slain policemen to widows and rendered their children, fatherless for no just cause.

The governor reiterated that no amount of vicious attacks or intimidation could compel Rivers State to become part of any secession agenda.

He maintained that the people of Rivers State believed in the unity of the Nigerian State.

“We must be united to fight for this country to be one. We must not allow anyone to talk about secession. If you want to secede, Rivers State is not part of it, and nobody can cow Rivers State to be part of it. Not under my watch will I allow that.”

The governor, who assured the State Police Command of the government’s continuous support, however, charged police personnel to be more careful and vigilant.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, thanked the governor for assuaging the pain of the bereaved families.

Eboka told the governor that the armed men who attacked three different police formations for no justifiable reason gruesomely killed seven officers. According to him, two officers who sustained bullet injuries, were receiving treatment.

“It is noteworthy that the hoodlums did not escape without suffering fatalities, as two of them lost their lives and their Hilux riddled with bullets was abandoned. Thanks to RRT Commander and other Tactical Teams who responded to the distress call,” he said.

He stated that in spite of these ugly developments, officers and men of the State command would not shy away from their responsibilities.

“Your visit today will further boost their morals. I therefore want to use this opportunity to re-assure the good people of Rivers State of our resolve to continue to protect their lives and property.”