Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding a comprehensive investigation into allegations that more than N6.79 billion in public funds were diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also called for the immediate recovery of missing firearms and ammunition, warning that it would consider legal action if the government failed to act within the stipulated period. The allegations are contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which documented widespread financial irregularities and raised serious concerns about the management of public funds, police exhibits, weapons, and national security.
SERAP urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; and relevant anti-corruption agencies to thoroughly investigate those implicated and ensure the recovery of all missing public funds, firearms, and ammunition. The organisation also called for the prosecution of contractors, companies, and public officials found culpable, insisting that all recovered items should be properly secured and accounted for. According to SERAP, "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 Auditor-General's report, which forms the basis of SERAP's demands, detailed numerous financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. These included payments for projects that were allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, and payments for services not rendered. Among the most damning findings was the alleged payment of N499.9 million for the construction of a Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, which the Auditor-General said was never executed. The report also cited N111.6 million paid for a transit camp and administrative block in Kaduna State, and N12.9 million for rehabilitation works in Abuja, all of which were allegedly not carried out. The Auditor-General further noted that over N1.9 billion was paid for 14 contracts in 2022 that were later abandoned, and new contracts awarded in their place could not be traced, raising serious questions about the management and oversight of police infrastructure projects.
Beyond financial irregularities, the audit report exposed alarming gaps in the handling of police exhibits and weaponry. It revealed that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, along with 737 rounds of live ammunition, were booked into the Federal Capital Territory Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022 but were never returned. The report also alleged that police authorities failed to account for 24 exhibits, released monetary and non-monetary exhibits without proper authorisation, stored obsolete firearms insecurely, and converted recovered exhibits, including vehicles and nine AK-47 rifles, for operational use without due authorisation. SERAP warned that such lapses pose serious risks to public safety and national security, as unaccounted firearms could easily fall into the hands of criminal networks.
The organisation also highlighted irregularities in procurement and insurance payments. The report alleged that over N681.4 million paid through insurance brokers to settle beneficiaries' claims was never disbursed, while insurance policy liabilities exceeding N1 billion remained unresolved. The Federal Ministry of Police Affairs was cited for procurement irregularities involving contracts for bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, troop carriers, and patrol vehicles, as well as payments for training programmes and security allowances without adequate documentation or due process. SERAP noted that over N438 million in contracts were allegedly awarded by the Ministry of Police Affairs without due diligence, N258.9 million was paid to an unqualified contractor for patrol vehicles, and N57.4 million in contracts were awarded by the Police Public Relations Office without competitive bidding.
In its letter, SERAP argued that the diversion of funds meant for policing, the abandonment of security projects, the disappearance of 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 organisation stressed that Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution requires the state to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, while Section 14 provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. SERAP warned: "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."
The seven-day ultimatum adds urgency to the demands, coming at a time when Nigeria's security challenges have continued to escalate, with armed bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers exploiting institutional weaknesses to perpetuate violence across the country. The Auditor-General's findings, if substantiated, would suggest that funds intended to strengthen the police force and protect citizens were instead squandered or diverted, leaving the country's primary internal security agency under-resourced and ill-equipped to confront the growing threats to public safety. The recovery of missing firearms is particularly critical, as unaccounted weapons could be used to fuel criminal activities and exacerbate the insecurity that has plagued communities across the North-West, North-Central, and other regions.
SERAP's demand for a comprehensive investigation represents a significant test of the Tinubu administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. The organisation has previously taken legal action against the government on issues of corruption and human rights, and its warning of potential litigation underscores the seriousness with which it views the allegations. As the seven-day deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Presidency, the Attorney General's office, and the police leadership to see whether they will act on SERAP's demands or face the prospect of a legal battle that could further expose the depth of corruption within Nigeria's security institutions. For now, the question remains: will the government finally confront the rot within the police force, or will the findings of the Auditor-General's report be allowed to gather dust, another forgotten indictment of a system that has failed to protect the public it is sworn to serve?
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