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 belonging to the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs was diverted, misapplied or remains unaccounted for, while also demanding the recovery of missing firearms and ammunition.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the President 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 investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
SERAP said the allegations were contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, describing the findings as a serious breach of public trust that raises concerns over corruption, financial accountability and the management of police firearms and exhibits.
According to the organisation, the audit report documented widespread financial irregularities, including payments for projects allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances and payments for services not rendered, with the cumulative value exceeding ₦6.79 billion.
SERAP also expressed concern over reports of missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, poor record-keeping and insecure storage of weapons, warning that such lapses pose significant threats to public safety and national security.
Among the cases cited by the Auditor-General were payments of hundreds of millions of naira for police infrastructure projects in Plateau, Kaduna and Abuja that were reportedly never executed, as well as nearly ₦2 billion spent on contracts classified as ongoing despite being abandoned.
The report further alleged that 42 firearms and 737 rounds of ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury were never returned, while several recovered exhibits, including vehicles, rifles, ammunition and laptops, were allegedly released or converted to operational use without proper authorisation. It also cited failures to account for exhibits and maintain secure armoury facilities.
Additional findings highlighted irregular allowance payments, failure to prepare mandatory financial statements, unretired cash advances, questionable procurement processes, unsettled insurance claims exceeding ₦681 million, and contracts allegedly awarded without due process by both the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
SERAP urged the Federal Government to recover all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition, ensure proper accountability for police exhibits, and prosecute any contractors, companies or public officials implicated in the Auditor-General’s findings.
The organisation gave the government seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would consider legal action in the public interest if no satisfactory response is received.
