Ambode Donates N55m To Families Of Slain Security Officers

The families of four police officers that died during the operation got N10 million each, while an officer who sustained injury during the attack and still recuperating in the hospital, Sgt. Alexandra Ugadu got N5million.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented cheques totaling N55 million to the families of security officers who lost their lives in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu after an ambush unleashed on them by militants.Also, a cheque of N10 million was presented to the family of a military officer, Capt. A Mohammed who lost his life during the attack.

The gallant officers were killed after successfully rescuing kidnapped victims kept in the riverine area by the militants.

The police officers’ whose families benefited from the death insurance scheme of the State Government are late Insp. Godwin Iroagbalahi, Insp. Francis Pemi, Sgt. Mamuda Dembo and Sgt. Idor Ekoro.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Governor Ambode said the move was in appreciation of the supreme sacrifices paid by the late officers in the course of ensuring the safety of residents of the State.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the donation was in line with the pledge to review insurance benefits to security operatives in the State.

Bello recalled that since coming on board, Governor Ambode immediately 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.

“This is to appreciate what the gallant officers have done; they sacrificed their lives in the course of protecting several of us and we have to appreciate them. As a matter of fact, if we don’t do this, who will? The Governor has always said that we must continue to appreciate those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our lives because they died for us.

“We must continue to appreciate them because if we don’t do this, who will be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for our safety? The officers are sent out to protect us and when they are going, they are not even sure of coming back and having paid the supreme sacrifice, should we leave them just like that, definitely not and it is in appreciation of what they have done that we are doing this,” he said.

The Governor, while commiserating with the families of the late officers, assured that the State Government would continue to support security officers and their families in the State.

Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni commended Governor Ambode and the State Government for the donations, which he described as a moral booster, saying that the gesture would go a long way in motivating officers.


 Vanguard