The management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas has presented the sum of N6.4m to the families of the two policemen who were killed by militants last month.
The company presented the cheque to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, on Friday for onward delivery to the families of the deceased.
Militants killed the two policemen as they escorted NLNG passenger boat from Port Harcourt to Bonny on March 12, 2007.
Ogbaudu, who received the money on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, lauded the management of the NLNG for its timely response to the plight of the families.
Ogbaudu appealed to other companies in the state to emulate the company�s gesture and assist the police in rendering succour to families of slain policemen.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police has called on youths in the state to shun all forms of violence as the 2007 election draws near.
Ogbaudu, who made the appeal in a passionate letter he wrote to churches in the state, said that he was worried by the level of violence that had been unleashed on the state and its environs since he assumed office in December 2006.
Ogbaudu noted, �Within a short period of two months that I have been in office, some expatriates have been kidnapped and released not only in Rivers but in Bayelsa and Delta states.
�We have also witnessed some intra and inter communal crises as a result of land/chieftaincy disputes and unfairness in the sharing of compensation from companies to communities.�
He pointed out that many innocent persons had been killed and their property destroyed as a result of the escalation of avoidable crises in many parts of the state.
He also appealed to religious leaders in the state to prevail on their members not to engage in any act that could lead to violence and destruction of lives and property.
Ogbaudu said that his office was opened to all parties with genuine complaints and information that would lead to reduction of violence in the state.