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 may have been diverted, misapplied or remain unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The Police funds scandal allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2025 annual report, published on September 9, 2025, which also raised concerns over missing firearms, unaccounted police exhibits and abandoned security projects.
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, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate those implicated and recover all missing public assets.
SERAP insisted that anyone found responsible, including contractors, companies and public officials identified in the audit report, should face prosecution. The organisation also called for the recovery and proper documentation of all missing funds, firearms, ammunition and police exhibits.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s findings point to serious breaches of public trust and expose weaknesses in financial accountability, procurement processes and the management of police assets. The group warned that the reported disappearance of firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release of exhibits and poor storage of weapons pose significant threats to national security and public safety.
Among the financial irregularities highlighted in the report are payments for projects allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract sums, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances and payments for services reportedly not rendered.
The audit also questioned contracts worth billions of naira awarded by police formations and the Ministry of Police Affairs, including projects for police colleges, transit camps, rehabilitation works, patrol vehicles, security equipment and training programmes. According to SERAP, the report further documented insurance claims that were allegedly never settled despite payments exceeding ₦681 million, as well as outstanding insurance liabilities of over ₦1 billion.
The report also raised alarm over missing firearms and ammunition within the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. According to the Auditor-General, dozens of firearms and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition booked into police armouries were never returned, raising fears they may have been lost or fallen into unauthorised hands.
It also cited instances where recovered firearms, vehicles and other exhibits were allegedly converted to operational use or released without proper authorisation or documentation. SERAP argued that failures to properly document and secure exhibits undermine criminal investigations and weaken confidence in law enforcement.
The rights organisation requested that the Federal Government act within seven days of receiving the letter. It warned that failure to take appropriate action would leave it with no option but to initiate legal proceedings to compel compliance in the public interest.
SERAP maintained that the Nigerian Constitution places a duty on government to combat corruption and prioritise the security and welfare of citizens. According to the organisation, improving transparency and accountability within the police system is essential to restoring public confidence, safeguarding national security and ensuring that public resources allocated for policing are used for their intended purposes.
