 personnel killed in an Improvised Explosive){kind=link}
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
…..Command says fallen EOD officers’ families are not neglected, urges media to verify sensitive claims
The Zamfara State Police Command has rejected a report alleging that families of three Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast have been abandoned without support by the state government.
The Command described the report published by PRNigeria as misleading, insisting that the publication was made without seeking clarification from either the police authorities or the families of the deceased officers.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, on Monday, the Command said the welfare of police personnel and families of officers who lose their lives in the line of duty remains a major concern of both the Nigeria Police Force and the Zamfara State Government.
The statement followed a PRNigeria report titled, “Experts Raise Alarm Over Lack of Support for Families of Officers Killed in Zamfara IED Blast,” which raised concerns over the alleged plight of the families of the fallen EOD personnel.
But the Zamfara Police Command said the report did not reflect the situation on the ground.
According to the Command, the Zamfara State Government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, has continued to provide logistical, operational and welfare assistance to security agencies operating in the state.
It maintained that the administration’s support had contributed significantly to strengthening the state’s security architecture and improving the capacity of security personnel to protect residents and their property.
The Command further dismissed the suggestion that the families of officers who died while defending Zamfara had been left to fend for themselves.
“Contrary to the impression created by the publication, the Zamfara State Government has not been indifferent to the welfare of families of security personnel who lost their lives while defending the people of Zamfara State,” the Command stated.
It said portraying the affected families as abandoned was therefore inaccurate and capable of creating a false impression about the relationship between the state government and security agencies.
The police also reaffirmed that the authorities remained committed to the welfare of serving officers as well as families of personnel who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation.
The Command expressed appreciation to Governor Lawal and the people of Zamfara for what it described as their continued support for security agencies and personnel operating in the state.
It, however, urged journalists and members of the public to exercise caution when reporting sensitive issues involving fallen security personnel and their families.
The police advised media practitioners to always contact relevant authorities and, where appropriate, affected families for clarification before publishing such reports.
According to the Command, such verification is essential to ensuring accuracy, fairness and responsible journalism, particularly on issues involving the welfare of families of officers who died in active service.
The Command therefore formally distanced itself from the claims contained in the PRNigeria report, stressing that the narrative of neglect did not represent the actual situation.
The statement was signed by DSP Yazid Abubakar, ANIPR, Police Public Relations Officer, for the Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, Gusau.
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