Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into allegations that more than N6.79 billion in public funds were diverted, misapplied, or remain unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The civic organisation called on the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to conduct a thorough probe into the alleged financial irregularities and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice.
According to SERAP, the allegations are detailed in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation described the report’s findings as a grave breach of public trust, saying they raise serious concerns about accountability in the management of public funds, as well as the handling of police exhibits, firearms, and ammunition.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said all contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report should be investigated and prosecuted where appropriate, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be recovered and properly accounted for.
SERAP argued that the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, as well as the misuse of police exhibits, have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, undermined public confidence and could be contributing to the country’s worsening insecurity.
According to the organisation, the Auditor-General’s report documented several financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.
SERAP also cited allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release and use of police exhibits, failure to properly account for recovered exhibits and insecure storage of firearms, warning that such lapses pose significant risks to public safety and national security.
The organisation requested that the Federal Government act on its recommendations within seven days, warning that it would consider legal action if the issues were not addressed within the stipulated period.
It maintained that the Constitution places an obligation on the government to combat corruption and prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians.
Highlighting specific findings from the Auditor-General’s report, SERAP alleged that the Nigeria Police Force paid over N499 million for the construction of a Police College Phase II in Plateau State, N12 million for the rehabilitation of a building in Abuja and N111 million for projects in Kaduna State that were allegedly never executed.
It also pointed to over N1.9 billion reportedly paid for 14 projects that were abandoned, while new contracts were awarded for projects that auditors could not trace.
The organisation further referenced findings that 42 firearms and 737 rounds of live ammunition recorded in the armoury of the FCT Police Command were never returned, while several recovered firearms, monetary exhibits and other items were allegedly released without proper authorisation or documentation.
It also noted that obsolete firearms were reportedly stored in unsecured locations.
SERAP also cited allegations that the Nigeria Police Force paid more than N112 million in allowances without budgetary provision, failed to prepare its 2022 financial statements, granted unretired cash advances exceeding approved limits and failed to properly document the loss of operational animals and destroy obsolete firearms.
The organisation further alleged that the Ministry of Police Affairs awarded contracts worth over N438 million without due diligence, paid N18 million for a training programme without supporting documentation, awarded a N258 million patrol vehicle contract to an allegedly unqualified contractor and disbursed over N30 million in security allowances through an intermediary rather than directly to beneficiaries.
Additionally, SERAP referenced findings that the Police Insurance Unit paid more than N681 million to insurance brokers without beneficiaries receiving their claims and failed to clear insurance liabilities exceeding N1 billion, while the Police Public Relations Office allegedly awarded contracts worth over N57 million without competitive bidding and failed to deduct statutory taxes exceeding N7 million from contract payments.
