The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Olufunmilola Disu, has provided emergency financial and food support to struggling police families after an unannounced visit exposed the harsh economic realities confronting widows, traders and spouses of police officers in barracks across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the two-day welfare outreach, conducted on July 14 and 15, covered the Area C Police Barracks, Nyanya, and the 44 Police Mobile Force (PMF) Barracks, Kuje, ahead of the forthcoming POWA National Convention.
According to Iniedu, Disu, accompanied by members of the POWA management team, engaged directly with women traders, widows and spouses of serving police officers. During the visits, the team observed sparsely stocked shops and listened to firsthand accounts of the economic challenges confronting many police households.
Following the assessment, selected beneficiaries received immediate cash grants, business starter packs and food items to help them restock their businesses, improve household income and strengthen their economic resilience.
Iniedu said the intervention underscored POWA’s commitment to ensuring that support reaches those who need it most through direct engagement.
“The visit was deliberately unannounced to enable the National President to obtain a true picture of the realities confronting police families. Only by witnessing these challenges firsthand can POWA design and deliver interventions that genuinely respond to their needs,” he said.
He explained that the outreach was conducted under the POWA CARES Initiative, a welfare programme focused on promoting sustainable healthcare, economic empowerment and improved living conditions for police families across the country.
“Through the POWA CARES Initiative, the association continues to provide practical and dignity-preserving support for widows of fallen officers, spouses of serving personnel and other vulnerable members of the police community. The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON,” the Force spokesman stated.
Iniedu noted that the outreach also served as a precursor to the 2026 POWA National Convention, scheduled to hold from July 16 to 18, with the theme: “The Resilient Woman: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Strength, Purpose and Grace.”
He said the convention would feature discussions and programmes centred on healthcare, mental wellness, economic empowerment and family support systems aimed at improving the welfare of police families nationwide.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to practical, people-centred welfare initiatives that preserve the dignity of widows of fallen officers and improve the well-being of families of serving personnel. The outreach reflects POWA’s resolve to stand with police families during these challenging economic times,” Iniedu added.
The surprise outreach was widely welcomed by beneficiaries, many of whom expressed appreciation for the timely intervention, describing it as a significant boost to their businesses and household livelihoods.
