Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced the government’s allocation of 259 houses and the release of N110 million to the Nigerian Police Force in the state.

The governor made the announcement on Thursday during the commissioning of Borno’s branch of the Nigerian Police Force Microfinance Bank (NPFM Bank).

Speaking at the event which was attended by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, Governor Zulum said the microfinance bank was designed to provide financial services to aid small and medium enterprises for police families, their affiliates and civilians in Borno State.

He stated that the allocation of over 259 houses to the police was meant to compensate the state command for government’s use of some portions of land belonging to the police and for the development of some infrastructures in the state capital.

On the N110 million he announced, the governor said 50% of it, which amounts to N55m, was Borno’s contribution as share deposit aimed at enhancing the bank’s operations at the starting stage.

The other N55m, Zulum said would be used to support families of police personnel in two ways.

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Governor Zulum said N25 million would be shared to families of police officers who died in active service, while N30 million would be deposited into a credit services account for the purpose of supporting policewomen serving across Borno State.

He further ordered that the money for the families of the late police officers be deposited in an account dedicated to the educational needs of the deceased children.

Zulum, however, commended the IGP for unveiling Borno’s branch of the bank which he said indicated Baba’s prioritisation of police welfare.

In his remarks, Baba described Governor Zulum’s support towards the Nigerian Police Force as enormous, saying: “Your Excellency, we want to thank you for the logistics the state command is getting to function effectively in crime prevention and control. I am aware that the only state that got six armoured personnel carriers and handed them over to the police is Borno State.

“We want to sincerely thank you for taking our trouble, for being kind to us, for being generous to us, for coming to our assistance in terms of providing welfare and working tools.”

The IGP was accompanied to the event by the Board Chairman of the microfinance bank, Azubuko Joel Udah; the bank’s Managing Director, Mr Akin Lawal; and top police chiefs.

The Star