SERAP Urges Tinubu to Probe Alleged ₦6.79bn Police Fund Diversion, Missing Firearms

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds was allegedly diverted, misapplied or remains unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged 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 thoroughly investigate the allegations contained in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

SERAP said individuals and organisations found culpable, including contractors, companies and public officials identified in the report, should be prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be recovered, secured and properly accounted for.

According to the organisation, the Auditor-General’s findings point to a serious breach of public trust and raise concerns over the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.

SERAP also expressed concern over allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, poor record-keeping and insecure storage of weapons, warning that such lapses pose significant threats to public safety and national security.

The organisation argued that the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, erode public confidence and could contribute to worsening insecurity across the country.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.

SERAP noted that the report estimated the total suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds at more than ₦6.79 billion.

The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days from receipt or publication of its letter to initiate the recommended measures, warning that it would consider legal action in the public interest if no response is received within the stipulated period.

SERAP cited Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), arguing that the government has a constitutional obligation to prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians while abolishing corruption and abuse of power.

Among the cases highlighted in the Auditor-General’s report was the alleged payment of ₦499.88 million in October 2022 by the Nigeria Police Force Department of Logistics and Supply for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State. The report stated that the project was never executed and expressed concerns that the funds may have been diverted.

The report also cited another payment of ₦12.93 million for the rehabilitation of a building at the Department of Logistics and Supply in Garki, Abuja, which was allegedly not carried out, as well as ₦111.64 million paid for the construction of transit camp facilities and rehabilitation works at the NPF Pre-Retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kaduna State, despite the project not being executed.

In addition, the Auditor-General alleged that taxes amounting to more than ₦4 million were improperly inserted to inflate a contract, while over ₦1.93 billion was reportedly paid for 14 ongoing projects that were later abandoned before new contracts were awarded, many of which could not be traced.

The report also raised concerns over the handling of police weapons and exhibits. It alleged that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, along with 737 rounds of live ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022, were never returned, raising fears that the weapons may have been lost or fallen into unauthorised hands.

Further findings indicated that police exhibits, including recovered vehicles and firearms, were allegedly converted for operational use without proper authorisation. The report also alleged failures to account for several exhibits, denial of auditors’ access to exhibit rooms, incomplete documentation of recovered items and the release of monetary and non-monetary exhibits without appropriate approval or documentation.

According to the report, firearms were also allegedly stored in insecure conditions, including obsolete weapons kept in unsecured offices rather than designated armouries.

Other findings cited by SERAP include the alleged payment of ₦112.03 million in outstanding allowances without budgetary provision, the failure of the Nigeria Police Force to prepare its 2022 financial statements in accordance with applicable regulations, and the payment of an annual ₦6 million remuneration to a Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters through another staff member instead of directly to the beneficiary.

The report also alleged that officers received cash advances exceeding approved limits, which were never retired, while the deaths of 10 operational horses were reportedly not properly documented before they were removed from stock records.

SERAP further highlighted allegations involving the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including contracts worth more than ₦438 million for the procurement of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers allegedly awarded without due diligence.

Other questioned expenditures include ₦18 million reportedly paid for skills acquisition training in Ondo State without participant records or supporting documentation, ₦258.99 million allegedly paid to an unqualified contractor for the supply of patrol vehicles in Kano State, and more than ₦30.85 million in security allowances reportedly paid to an intermediary rather than the intended beneficiaries.

The Auditor-General’s report also questioned the handling of insurance funds, alleging that more than ₦681.4 million was paid to insurance brokers for beneficiaries’ claims that were never settled, while insurance policy liabilities exceeding ₦1.62 billion remained unresolved.

Additional findings included the alleged irregular award of contracts worth more than ₦57.48 million by the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office for the procurement of video cameras, customised umbrellas, gift bags and towels without competitive bidding.

The report further alleged that the Nigeria Police Force failed to deduct more than ₦7.76 million in withholding tax and value-added tax from awarded contracts, with the Auditor-General recommending that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

SERAP maintained that the allegations warrant an independent investigation and appropriate legal action to ensure accountability, recover public resources and strengthen public confidence in the management of Nigeria’s policing institutions.

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