Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police, IGP on Thursday handed out 39 cheques worth N160 to families of policemen killed during the #ENDSARS protest last year, The Nation reports.

Adamu, who made the presentation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, said the gesture was a clear statement that the Nigeria Police will never abandon the family of colleagues who have gallantly laid down their lives in the services of the country.

He said the Force Insurance Unit was able to process and pay the entitlement of the police officers in record time.

He said even though a policing career is unique, it is unfortunately a high risk operation and in cognizance of this he had evolved initiatives that will motivate personnel of the Force and also strengthen the personnel protection protocol around them.

The police boss said in line with this, he had ordered the promotion of personnel that were injured as well as the post-humous promotion of those that lost their lives.

“Today we shall be presenting 39 cheques of group life insurance and the IGP welfare scheme amounting N160, 153, 998 to families of officers killed during the #ENDSARS protests.

“I do appreciate that no monetary reward can compensate for the lives of loved ones and breadwinners, but our prayers are with families of affected officers,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries utilize the money judiciously in meeting the training and welfare needs of the children and wives of the late officers.

With regards to those injured during the protests, he said there are group personal accident medical expenses that are being processed and will be paid in due course.

“I would continue to prioritize safety and welfare and officers and pray God protects them and their families in the line of duty,” he said.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, lauded the police management for prioritizing the welfare of officers.

He assured relations of the officers that lost their lives that the people and government of Nigeria appreciate the sacrifice of their loved ones.

Mohammed, who noted that about N1 trillion worth of property was destroyed in Lagos state alone, said 37 officers and about 186 wounded in the protests nationwide.

He said 164 police vehicles were vandalized, 134 police stations were destroyed, 264 public and private buildings were vandalized and31 warehouses were looted