SERAP urges Tinubu to probe alleged ₦6.79bn police funds scandal, recover missing firearms

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving more than ₦6.79 billion within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, urging the recovery of missing public funds, firearms and ammunition.

The anti-corruption organisation made the call against the backdrop of findings contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which detailed alleged cases of diverted funds, abandoned projects, procurement breaches and poor management of police assets.

In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged President Tinubu 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 investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.

SERAP said contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the Auditor-General’s report should face prosecution where sufficient evidence exists, 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 resources, police exhibits and government assets.

“The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security,” SERAP stated.

It argued that the diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects and poor handling of firearms and exhibits have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and may have contributed to the country’s worsening security challenges.

Highlighting specific findings contained in the Auditor-General’s report, SERAP alleged that the Police Department of Logistics and Supply paid ₦499.9 million for the construction of a Police College in Bashar, Plateau State, but the project was never executed. It also cited payments of ₦12.9 million and ₦111.6 million for other projects that were allegedly abandoned despite full or substantial payments being made.

The organisation further alleged that more than ₦1.93 billion was paid for 14 projects classified as ongoing in 2022, but many of the contracts were allegedly abandoned before new contracts were awarded for similar works that could not be traced.

SERAP also drew attention to findings that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, together with 737 rounds of live ammunition, reportedly kept at the FCT Police Command armoury were never returned, raising fears that the weapons may have been lost or fallen into unauthorised hands.

It further cited allegations that police exhibits, including firearms, vehicles, laptops and cash exhibits, were released or converted to operational use without due authorisation, while several recovered exhibits were allegedly omitted from official records.

The group also referenced findings involving the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including contracts worth ₦438 million allegedly awarded without due diligence, ₦258.9 million paid to an allegedly unqualified contractor for patrol vehicles, and ₦18 million reportedly spent on a skills acquisition programme without supporting documentation.

Other allegations cited by SERAP include over ₦681 million reportedly paid to insurance brokers for police insurance claims that were allegedly never settled, unretired cash advances, procurement without competitive bidding and failures to deduct statutory taxes from contracts.

The organisation urged the Federal Government to act within seven days of receiving its letter, warning that it would consider legal action should the authorities fail to respond.

SERAP argued that the Nigerian Constitution places a clear obligation on government to abolish corruption, prevent abuse of public office and ensure the security and welfare of citizens through transparent and accountable governance.