SERAP to Tinubu: Probe alleged Police fraud, missing 42 AK-47 rifles

A call has been extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into alleged diversion and misapplication of over N6.79 billion within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

The call was made on Sunday by a Lagos-based rights group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), through a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP specifically asked President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, and anti-corruption agencies to probe the allegations documented in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025.

The group made a demand for the prosecution of contractors, companies, and public officials found culpable and the full recovery of all missing funds, firearms, and ammunition.

According to the group, the Auditor-General’s report uncovered massive financial irregularities, including payments for unexecuted projects, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, and payments for services not rendered amounting to over N6.79 billion.

The report, according to SERAP, equally raised serious national security concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised use of police exhibits, and insecure storage of weapons.

The rights organisation said, “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of public trust. The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”

SERAP said key findings from the report included alleged fraud involving N499.8 million at the Police College; N1.9 billion spent on abandoned projects; 42 missing firearms; the diversion of exhibits; an alleged N681 million insurance scandal; and N438 million in contracts awarded without due process.

Other alleged infractions included N112 million in irregular allowance payments, N10 million in unretired cash advances above the N200,000 threshold, the failure to destroy obsolete firearms and the insecure storage of 10 unserviceable firearms in a box on the floor of an administrative office.

The organisation warned that it would take legal action if the Federal Government failed to act within seven days of receiving the letter.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply,” the organisation said.

The group anchored its request on Sections 15(5) and 14 of the 1999 Constitution, which require the state to abolish corrupt practices and ensure the security and welfare of the people.