Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, has presented cheques of N55 million to families of security officers who lost their lives in Ikorodu following an ambush by militants.
Families of four police officers that were killed in the shootout with the militants got N10 million each, while an officer who sustained injury during the attack and still recuperating in the hospital, Sgt. Alexandra Ugadu got N5 million.
A cheque of N10 million was presented to the family of Army officer, Capt. A Mohammed, who also lost his life during the attack.
The officers were killed after they succeeded in rescuing kidnapped victims detained in the riverine area by the militants.
Police officersâ whose families benefited from the death insurance scheme of the State Government include late Inspector Godwin Iroagbalahi, Inspector Francis Pemi, Sergeant Mamuda Dembo and Sergeant Idor Ekoro.
Governor Ambode in a sort address noted that the gesture was in appreciation of the supreme sacrifices paid by the late officers in the course of ensuring the safety of residents of the State.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, he said the donation was in line with the pledge to review insurance benefits to security operatives in the state.
Bello stated that on assumption of office, Governor Ambode reviewed the insurance benefits for security operatives in the State with a pledge to pay N10million to any officer killed during operation, adding that the ceremony was in consonance with the earlier promise.
In his response on behalf of beneficiaries, the Stateâs Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni hailed Governor Ambode and the State Government for the donations, which he described as a morale booster.
Owoseni said the gesture would go a long way in motivating officers.
Also, the Lagos State Government says it has commenced installation of 13, 000 Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras, aimed at boosting security in the state.
The government explained that the installation would be in phases, noting, âWe have commenced installation of 300 in the first phaseâ.
 Commissioner for Science and Technology, Olufemi Odubiyi who made the disclosure at the 2017 Ministerial Press briefing to mark the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambodeâs second year in office lamented that the government was forced to review the strategy for the installation of the CCTV cameras across the state due to scarcity and fluctuation of forex in the country.
Meanwhile, Governor Ambode has on behalf of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) presented 20 brand new operational vehicles with modern communication gadgets to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command.
END
Â
