The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has approved a policy allowing the families of personnel who die in the line of duty to continue receiving the deceased officer’s salary for up to 12 months after death.
The initiative was approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, as part of efforts to strengthen welfare support for families of fallen service members.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a senior NAF official who spoke anonymously said the policy will allow spouses or next of kin of personnel killed in action to continue receiving their salaries during the period required to process death benefits.
The official explained that under existing public service rules, salary payments normally stop immediately after the death of a personnel.
However, the new initiative ensures that salaries of personnel killed in the line of duty will continue for up to 12 months from the date of death, or until all death benefits and entitlements have been fully processed and paid, whichever comes first.
They also disclosed that the Chief of the Air Staff has approved additional welfare packages for officers, airmen and airwomen.
The policy comes amid growing concerns over the risks faced by Nigerian military personnel deployed in counter-insurgency and security operations across the country.
The increasing casualties and the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges have intensified calls for stronger welfare support for personnel and their families.
The Nigerian military and government have implemented several support measures for families of fallen personnel in recent years.
He also directed that all death benefits be paid to their families within 90 days and pledged that the government would provide a house anywhere in the country for each of the affected families.
Earlier, in 2023, President Tinubu approved N18 billion for group life assurance benefits and other entitlements for families of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel who died in the line of duty.