The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly and effectively investigate allegations that over ₦6.79 billion of public funds are missing, diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on 9 September 2025.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
In the letter dated 1 August 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
SERAP said: “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.”
“The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The letter, read in part: “The 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, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, while Section 14 recognises that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
“According to the 2022 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force Department of Logistics and Supply, Works Section, Force Headquarters, Abuja ‘in October 2022 paid over ₦499 million [₦499,875,500.00] to a contractor for the construction of Police College Phase II, Bashar, Plateau State.”
“But the construction of the Police College was not executed.’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“The Section ‘paid over ₦12 million [₦12,931,000.00] to a contractor for the Rehabilitation of Block B Department of Logistics and Supply (Works) building at Garki. But the project was not executed.’”
“The Section also ‘paid over ₦111 million [₦111,635,864.64] to a contractor for the construction of 12 Nos 1-Bedroom In suite Transit Camp and rehabilitation of Administration Block at NPF Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre Kudan, Kaduna State. But the project was not executed.’”
“The Section ‘inserted taxes of over ₦4 million [₦4,011,627.89] to inflate a contract. The money should not have been paid to the contractor.’”
“The Section ‘paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,938,299,452.00] for fourteen contracts in 2022 as ongoing projects. But the contracts were abandoned, and new projects were awarded to contractors instead of completing the ongoing projects. The new contracts awarded by the Nigeria Police Force could not be traced.’
“The FCT Police Command Force Headquarters, Abuja ‘booked 42 firearms comprising AK-47 and pistols with 737 live ammunitions at the armoury section in 2021 and 2022. But the firearms were never returned.’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the arms and ammunition may have been lost, or fallen into wrong hands.’”
“The Unit ‘failed to clear insurance policy amounting to over ₦1 billion [₦1,628,108.434.18] for 2020/2021.’”
“The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office (NPFPRO), Abuja ‘irregularly paid over ₦57 million [₦57,484,515.30] to contractors to buy video cameras, supply IGP customized umbrellas, produce gift bags, produce customized towels between May and December 2022. The contracts were awarded without any competitive bidding….”
