The Akwa Ibom State Government has revealed that Governor Umo Eno's support for the family of a deceased police officer includes a new house, N10 million in assistance, and a full university scholarship for her daughter.
This clarification comes days after a public disagreement between the state's Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, and a skit maker known as Local Man. The skit maker had claimed that an N10 million donation approved by the governor for the family hadn't been delivered.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, said the governor's intervention went beyond financial support. He said Eno approved the building of a "compassionate home" for the family of the late police inspector, following recommendations from the governor's Chief Security Officer, Besta Sini, a chief superintendent of police.
The governor also approved the full sponsorship of the deceased officer's last daughter from her current 300-level studies through graduation. N10 million was approved to cover burial expenses and facilitate the purchase of land for the family.
In a separate intervention, the governor approved N2 million as welfare support for the family of another deceased officer, "Sergeant Friday." Umanah also revealed that Eno personally provided N8.5 million for the surgical treatment of a police officer in need of urgent medical attention.
The police commissioner, Azare, had earlier dismissed the skit maker's allegations, maintaining that the governor approved the support package after being informed of the officer's death.
Umanah said the interventions form part of a broader humanitarian programme of the state government targeted at vulnerable citizens and security personnel facing difficult circumstances.
"The governor has consistently demonstrated that governance isn't only about infrastructure and economic development but also about touching lives, restoring hope and standing with people during their most difficult moments," he said.
The commissioner added that government records indicate that about 98 per cent of beneficiaries of the humanitarian interventions are Akwa Ibom indigenes. He described the support measures as practical expressions of the administration's ARISE Agenda and pledged that the government would continue responding to humanitarian needs.
"The governor remains committed to ensuring that no family is abandoned in moments of grief, hardship or medical distress. These interventions reflect his belief that governance must ultimately improve lives and put people first," Umanah stated.
The late police officer served in the Akwa Ibom State Government House until her death. The government didn't disclose her name or the circumstances of her death.