The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs was allegedly diverted, mismanaged or improperly spent.
The organisation also urged the Federal Government to recover missing firearms, ammunition and police exhibits, warning that the alleged irregularities pose a serious threat to public safety and national security.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group asked the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and anti-corruption agencies to launch a thorough investigation.
The allegations are based on findings contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
“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,” SERAP stated.
The rights group described the Auditor-General’s findings as a serious breach of public trust.
“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,” the letter read.
SERAP further warned that missing weapons and poorly managed police exhibits could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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,” it added.
Auditor-General’s Findings
According to the report cited by SERAP, several projects allegedly received government funding but were never executed.
Among the projects highlighted was the construction of Police College Phase II in Plateau State, for which over ₦499 million was reportedly paid despite the project allegedly not being carried out.
The report also referenced:
- Over ₦12 million allegedly paid for the rehabilitation of a building in Abuja that was never executed.
- More than ₦111 million reportedly released for accommodation projects in Kaduna State that were allegedly abandoned.
- Around ₦1.9 billion spent on projects that were later abandoned, with some new contracts reportedly impossible to trace.
- Alleged contract inflation and procurement irregularities involving millions of naira.
The report also raised concerns over police financial management, including unretired cash advances, unpaid insurance claims and contracts allegedly awarded without due process.
Missing Firearms Raise Security Concerns
SERAP also highlighted allegations involving missing police weapons and ammunition.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the FCT Police Command allegedly failed to account for 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, alongside 737 rounds of live ammunition, which were reportedly checked out of the armoury but never returned.
The report also alleged that several recovered exhibits, including firearms, vehicles and cash, were released or used without proper authorisation, while some recovered items were never entered into official exhibit registers.
SERAP warned that such lapses could allow weapons to fall into the wrong hands.
Seven-Day Deadline
The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days to begin taking action.
“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,” the group warned.
SERAP also cited Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which require the government to protect citizens’ welfare and eliminate corruption and abuse of office.
The organisation insisted that those found culpable should face prosecution, while all diverted public funds and missing police assets should be recovered.
Source : SERAP Statement
