SERAP asks Tinubu to probe N6.79bn police funds, missing firearms

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct a full investigation into allegations involving more than N6.79 billion reportedly diverted or misused within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.

The group also wants authorities to recover and properly account for firearms and ammunition reported missing in the latest Auditor-General of the Federation’s report.

SERAP made the request in a letter dated August 1, 2026, and released on Sunday through its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. According to the organisation, the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General’s annual report published on September 9, 2025.

The group urged the President to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate the claims. It also called for anyone found responsible to face prosecution, while all missing public funds and security assets should be recovered.

SERAP said the Auditor-General’s report listed several financial irregularities within the police and the Ministry of Police Affairs. These include payments for projects that were never carried out, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services that were allegedly not provided.

The organisation also pointed to allegations involving missing firearms and ammunition, the release of police exhibits without proper approval, poor documentation of recovered weapons and exhibits, as well as unsafe storage of firearms, which it said could pose security risks.

SERAP gave the Federal Government seven days to begin action on its demands, warning that it would seek legal action if no steps were taken within that period.
The organisation based its request on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which require the government to tackle corruption, abuse of power and protect the welfare and security of citizens.

Among the cases listed in the Auditor-General’s report was the alleged payment of about N499.9 million in October 2022 for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State. According to the report, the project was never executed despite the payment.

The report also listed another payment of more than N12.9 million for the rehabilitation of Block B at the Department of Logistics and Supply building in Garki, Abuja, which was also said not to have been carried out.

Another contract valued at over N111.6 million for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp units and the rehabilitation of the administration block at the Nigeria Police Force Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudan, Kaduna State, was equally listed as unexecuted.

SERAP further referred to allegations that taxes worth over N4 million were added to inflate a contract, while more than N1.9 billion was reportedly paid for 14 ongoing projects in 2022 that were later abandoned. The report stated that new contracts were awarded instead of completing the existing ones, and the new projects could not be traced.

The organisation also drew attention to findings that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, along with 737 rounds of live ammunition kept in the Federal Capital Territory Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022, were not returned.

It added that the report alleged that some police exhibits, including vehicles, firearms and ammunition, were converted for operational use or released without proper approval, while several others could not be accounted for.

SERAP also referred to alleged procurement irregularities within the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs involving contracts worth more than N438.1 million for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers. The report also listed questionable payments relating to insurance claims, cash advances, training programmes, patrol vehicle procurement, public relations contracts and tax deductions.

The organisation maintained that a thorough investigation is necessary to establish responsibility, recover public funds and security assets where required, and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.