SERAP To Tinubu: Probe N6.79bn Police Funds, Missing Firearms & Ammunitions

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

In a letter dated August 1, 2026, SERAP urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations, recover any missing funds and security assets, and prosecute anyone found culpable.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s Annual Report published on September 9, 2025.

SERAP described the audit findings as a “grave betrayal of the public trust,” alleging widespread financial irregularities within the police and the Ministry of Police Affairs. These reportedly include payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract values, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, and payments for services allegedly not rendered, amounting to more than ₦6.79 billion.

The organisation also raised concerns over the reported disappearance of firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised release and use of police exhibits, poor record-keeping of recovered weapons, and inadequate storage of firearms, warning that such lapses pose serious risks to public safety and national security.

SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its recommendations or face legal action. It said that if no response is received within that period, it would consider approaching the courts to compel the government to investigate the allegations and implement the Auditor-General’s recommendations.

Citing Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, SERAP argued that the government has a constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of citizens and to eliminate corruption and abuse of office.

Among the audit findings highlighted by the organisation was the alleged payment of ₦499.9 million for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, which the Auditor-General reportedly found was never executed. The report also cited an alleged ₦12.9 million payment for the rehabilitation of a building at the Department of Logistics and Supply in Garki, Abuja, and ₦111.6 million for projects at the NPF Pre-Retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudan, Kaduna State, which were also reportedly not carried out.

In addition, the audit allegedly identified contract inflation through tax insertions worth more than ₦4 million and reported that nearly ₦1.94 billion was paid for 14 ongoing projects that were later abandoned, with new contracts reportedly awarded instead.

SERAP further cited audit findings alleging that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, as well as 737 rounds of live ammunition recorded in the FCT Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022, were not returned. The report also alleged that several police exhibits, including firearms, ammunition and vehicles, could not be properly accounted for or were released without due authorisation.

The organisation also referenced alleged procurement irregularities involving contracts worth ₦438.1 million for bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers, alongside other questionable payments related to insurance claims, cash advances, training programmes, patrol vehicles, public relations contracts and tax deductions.

SERAP maintained that anyone found responsible following a thorough investigation should be prosecuted and that all missing public funds and security assets should be recovered in the public interest.