Nigerian senate is creating fund for families of security personnel who died in line of duty

The Nigerian senate is working on a bill seeking to create and establish a fund specifically to cater for the welfare of families of military and security personnel who have died.

The “Bill for an Act to Establish the Families of Fallen Servicemen Support Fund” was sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Leading debate on the bill, Senator Moro said the piece of legislation would, among other things, establish a fund to be known as “The Families of Fallen Servicemen Support Fund,” into which shall be paid all monies prescribed under the bill and monies received as donations, bequeaths, trusts and contributions for the welfare of families of members of the armed forces and operatives of other security agencies who died in their line of duty, including combat and non-combat duties.

In his presentation, the Benue Senator said “we all know that coping with the death of loved ones is an enormous load to bear, as it sparks traumatic heartbreaks that can lead to feelings of desertion or indignation, in addition to deep poignancy.

“In the case of families of fallen heroes, it is even more burdensome because in any of such circumstances of the loss of a loved one, a grieving spouse may have the additional
responsibility of caring for the children, helping them cope with the loss and change in their lives and, in some cases, families of fallen servicemen further experience additional sense of loss from having to move outside of their military community, which includes a change of school for their children.”

Moro pointed that since the start of insurgency in Nigeria, thousands of troops have been killed by the Boko Haram group, leaving behind their families in the unpredictable hands of fate.

According to him, leaders of the Military Widows Association (MiWA) stated that there are more than 11,000 registered members, adding that, “given the security situation in our dear country Nigeria, it has become pertinent to enact a law that will establish a fund to take care of the welfare challenges facing the indigent families of security operatives who died in the line of duty.”

The bill, after consideration, was referred by the senate president, Ahmad Lawan, to the committee on establishment and public service to review and report back within four weeks.

Meanwhile, a bill seeking to amend the Police Service Commission Act 2001, also scaled second reading during plenary on Wednesday.

Sponsor of the bill, Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP, Taraba South) said the amendment became imperative in view of holding the Police “accountable for their actions through both internal and external mechanisms.”

“This is because, in addition to internal procedures for controlling officers’ conduct, it is crucial for Civilian Oversight Agencies to provide external supervision and oversee robust systems and procedures to enforce accountability and discourage misconduct,” Bwacha said.

The bill, after consideration, was referred by the senate president to the committee on police affairs and given four weeks to report back to the upper chamber of the national assembly.

The senate then adjourned plenary till April 13, 2021.