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 N6.79 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.”

According to SERAP, “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 reads 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 N6.79 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 N499 million [N499,875,500.00] 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 N12 million [N12,931,000.00] 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 N111 million [N111,635,864.64] 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 N4 million [N4,011,627.89] to inflate a contract. The money should not have been paid to the contractor.’

“The Section ‘paid over N1 billion [N1,938,299,452.00] 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 Command ‘converted exhibits to operational use. A vehicular exhibit, a Golf 3 Saloon car, was recovered during operation at Mpape Police and converted to a Patrol Vehicle by the Police Division without any evidence from the Divisional Police Officer that the exhibit should be used for operational purposes.

“9 AK-47 recovered during operations were also used by the FCT CID without due authorisation.’ The Auditor-General fears ‘the exhibits may have been converted for official use, leading to loss of exhibits.’

“The Command ‘failed to account for 24 exhibits recorded in the exhibit register in 2021 and 2022. The Auditor-General Office was denied access to the exhibit room.’

“The FCT Police Command ‘failed to document in the register exhibits recovered from the crime scene and recorded in the crime diary.

“A firearm recovered in November 2021 could not be traced to the exhibit register. 1 pistol, 8 rounds of ammunition and an AK-47 round of live ammunition recovered in February 2022 could also not be traced to the exhibit register and were not handed over to the keeper for safekeeping.’

“The FCT Police Command ‘released monetary exhibits of over N5 million [N5,050,000.00] and non-monetary exhibits without proper authorisation. The money was released to the owners and an IPO at the Maitama Area Command without any bond. 1 Baretta pistol, 1 AK-47 with 20 rounds of ammunition, one apple laptop and HP Laptop were also released without bond.’

“The FCT Police Command stored 10 obsolete and unserviceable firearms in the FCT Divisional Headquarters’ Armoury, Abuja. Firearms were kept inside a box on the floor of the Administrative Office, which was not secured.’

“The Police Account and Budget, Department of Finance and Administration, Force Headquarters, Abuja ‘paid over N112 million [N112,026,424.00] to some officers in 2022 to cover 2020 liabilities on outstanding allowances. But the money was not provided for in the 2022 approved estimates.

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘failed to prepare the Financial Statements for 2022 contrary to the provision of extant circular. No justification was provided for the non-submission of IPSAS accrual stand-alone financial statements.

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘engaged the service of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) of the Inspector General of Police on Revenue and Tax matters at a yearly payment of N6 million. But the SSA was paid through a staff instead of making the payment directly to the SSA.’

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘granted cash advance of over N10 million [N10,080,000.00] to officers for the provision of office equipment/accessories for the NPF Data Base Management Centre. But the cash advances exceeded the approved threshold of N200,000.00. The cash advances were never retired.’

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘failed to properly document monumental loss of force 10 operational animals (houses), which died within 2021 and 2022. Due process was not followed in reporting the death of the horses. The animals were deleted from the stock register.’

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘failed to destroy obsolete firearms collected from various Police Command and Formations in the FHQ armoury.

“The Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, Abuja also ‘awarded contracts of over N438 million [N438,066,845.73] for the supply of bulletproof vests, supply of ballistic helmets, procurement of Styr Punch Vistar Troop Carrier in 2022. But the contracts were awarded without due diligence.

“The Ministry ‘paid over N18 million [N18,000,000.00] to a contractor for the training of women in skill acquisition in cosmetology and provision of empowerment kits in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State, but without any documents. There was no list of participants, no training certificate, and no training manual.’

“The Ministry ‘paid over N258 million [N258,989,999.75] to unqualified contractor to buy 10 patrol vehicles (JAC) for the Nigeria Police Force outpost stations in Bichi, Gabasawa and Kunchi LGAs in Kano State. The contracts were awarded without due process. There was no due diligence on the contractor.

“The Ministry ‘paid over N30 million [N30,853,250.00] as security allowances for security personnel attached to the Ministry. But these payments were made to an officer other than the ultimate beneficiaries.’

“The Nigeria Police Force Insurance Unit, Abuja ‘paid over N681 million [N681,406,593.18] to various Insurance Brokers to settle beneficiaries’ claims, but none of the claims was settled.’

“The Unit ‘failed to clear insurance policy amounting to over N1 billion [N1,628,108.434.18] for 2020/2021.’

“The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office (NPFPRO), Abuja ‘irregularly paid over N57 million [N57,484,515.30] 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.

“The Nigeria Police Force ‘failed to deduct over N7 million [N7,760,409.56] being withholding tax and value added tax for contracts awarded. The Auditor-General fears ‘the money may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

Update news