Probe N6.79bn police funds, missing firearms, SERAP asks Tinubu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate alleged diversion of N6.79bn in police funds and the disappearance of firearms, citing findings from the Auditor-General's report.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
SERAP has called on President Tinubu to launch a comprehensive probe into the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. The allegations, detailed in the Auditor-General's Annual Report, include unexecuted projects, abandoned contracts, inflated costs, and missing firearms, which SERAP describes as a "grave betrayal of public trust" and a risk to national security.
Imagine your school got money to build new classrooms and buy sports equipment, but then the classrooms were never built, and some of the sports gear went missing! A group called SERAP is asking Nigeria's President to find out where all that money and equipment for the police went, because it seems like a lot of it disappeared or was used wrongly, which could make everyone less safe.
Analysis
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has brought to light serious allegations of financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, as detailed in the Auditor-General of the Federation's latest report. The report, published on September 9, 2025, documents the suspected diversion and misapplication of over ₦6.79 billion in public funds. These alleged infractions include payments for projects that were never executed, such as the ₦499.9 million allocated for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, which reportedly remains unbuilt.
Further financial improprieties cited by SERAP encompass abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, and unretired cash advances. Specific examples include ₦12 million paid for a rehabilitation project that was not executed and over ₦111 million for a transit camp and administration block that also went unbuilt. The scale of these alleged diversions, including ₦1.9 billion for fourteen abandoned contracts in 2022, points to systemic issues within the financial management of these critical security institutions, raising profound questions about accountability and the integrity of public spending.
The Peril of Missing Firearms
Beyond financial mismanagement, the Auditor-General's report also highlights the alarming issue of missing firearms and ammunition, posing a direct threat to public safety and national security. SERAP's letter to President Tinubu specifically references findings 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. This suggests a severe breakdown in inventory control and security protocols for sensitive equipment.
The report further alleges the unauthorized use and release of police exhibits, including vehicles, firearms, and ammunition, with several exhibits unaccounted for. Such lapses in the management of police armaments and evidence not only undermine law enforcement efforts but also create avenues for these weapons to fall into the wrong hands, potentially fueling insecurity and criminal activities across the nation. The insecure storage of firearms, as noted in the report, exacerbates these risks, making the police force a potential source of weapons for those who would destabilize the country.
SERAP's Call for Accountability
SERAP's intervention underscores its role as a watchdog advocating for transparency and good governance in Nigeria. By urging President Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation and prosecute those found culpable, the organization is pushing for a decisive response to what it terms a "grave betrayal of the public trust." SERAP has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to act on its recommendations, threatening legal action if no concrete steps are taken.
The organization grounds its demands in constitutional provisions, particularly Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the state to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, and Section 14, which establishes the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government. This legal and moral pressure from SERAP places the onus on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring the integrity of its security agencies, a crucial test for its governance agenda.
Key points
- SERAP has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate alleged diversion of over N6.79bn in police funds and missing firearms.
- The allegations are based on findings in the Auditor-General of the Federation's Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
- Reported financial irregularities include payments for unexecuted projects, abandoned contracts, inflated costs, and irregular procurement.
- Missing items include 42 firearms (AK-47s, pistols) and 737 rounds of ammunition from the FCT Police Command armoury.
- SERAP has given the Federal Government seven days to act on its recommendations or face legal action, citing constitutional obligations.
If President Tinubu acts swiftly and decisively on SERAP's demands, a thorough investigation could lead to the recovery of diverted funds and missing firearms, restoring public confidence in the police force. Successful prosecution of those responsible would send a strong message against corruption, potentially improving governance and security sector accountability in Nigeria.
Should the government fail to conduct a transparent and effective investigation, the allegations of corruption and missing firearms could further erode public trust in law enforcement and the administration. This inaction might embolden corrupt officials, exacerbate insecurity due to unaccounted weapons, and undermine Nigeria's efforts to strengthen its institutions and combat crime.
