Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on Monday presented N185 million as compensation to the bereaved families of security personnel killed in Owerri, the state capital. Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state on September 19.
That day, gunmen killed five security officers attached to a joint military task force that was conducting a routine patrol in the area.
More than six members of the task force who were injured in the attack also benefited from compensation.
Uzodinma described the slain security personnel as heroes and prayed to God to grant their families the strength to bear the loss and also for the survivors to recover quickly.
The governor noted that the occasion highlighted the insecurity challenges in Imo State.
“It is beyond what people think and it has a negative impact on the State,” he said.
This was not the first time that the state government would compensate the families of those killed while protecting residents of Imo State, he said.
Uzodinma promised to continue “showing love” to the affected families and agencies to encourage them in the performance of their duties.
He said he was aware that the federal government and security agencies had different compensation plans for their personnel.
READ ALSO: 16 police officers killed in Nigeria last week
“This is an opportunity to appreciate the invaluable work that security agencies are doing in Imo,” the governor said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Cosmas Iwu, said the deadly attacks in Imo State would not deter security agencies from fighting insecurity and restoring peace in the state.
Iwu assured that Imo would continue to support the families of security personnel killed in the state.
Those whose families received compensation were Isaac Yakubu and Samson Edeh of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Ezeagu Tobias of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
Others were Abraham Anas of the Nigerian Air Force and Abas Ejiofor of the Nigerian Police.
The injured officers are Ibrahim Abubakar, Umeh Lawrence (Nigerian Immigration Service), Akwaraji Charles, Abubakar Haruna, Odukwe, Onyekachi Ndubuisi among others.
Lawrence, who spoke on behalf of all beneficiaries, commended Governor Uzodinma, the government and people of Imo State for the compensation and the support provided to the security agencies, officers and their families.
(YAYA)
