Mohammed Abubakar, IGP

By Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja

Taking a cursory look at the welfare of past and present peacekeeping officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar yesterday submitted that under the previous administrations, peacekeeping officers suffered.

Abubakar made the assertion while unveiling of the renovated Peacekeeping Hall at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The IGP also stated that the fact that Nigeria Police Officers who were on peacekeeping mission are being praised but are not praised at home means that the difference is on the equipment being used to police.

He said without statistics that the Nigeria Police Force officer is the least paid and taken care of in the whole world.

He said, "This is the only country in the world that police are least paid; this is the only country in the world that the police welfare is least considered".
On the performance of Police officers on peacekeeping mission, he said, "Our officers and men have made Nigeria proud at all times and at all places they served and are serving.

"If we were able to do it outside why are we failing here? We are not able to do it here because of the lack of equipment".

On the welfare of the Peacekeeping officer, Abubakar said, “What we met here was not palatable. The former IGPs sent officers for peacekeeping without takeing care of their welfare.

"But now it is a different thing. Even when the Mission was not ready to pay, I pay pending when the Mission will pay. Their welfare is a concern to us".

According to him, the renovation of the Peacekeeping Centre cost the Force the sum of $1.6 million.

Meanwhile the Police yesterday compensated the families of the victims of the Police Helicopter crash that happened in Plateau State early this year.

Among those that were compensated was the wife of the late Deputy Inspector General of Police, Haruna John.
Mrs. Olayinka Haruna who was absent at the Force Headquarters was to receive N9.6 million.

Families of three other officers received cheques, while four families that their properties were destroyed by crash received cheques as well.

Handing over the cheques, Haruna said, "It is not what we give that matters but that we remember their services to the nation. No matter what you get it is not a price to the family member that you lost. We will keep all the promises we have made to you."