SERAP Urges Tinubu to Probe Missing Police Funds, Arms
The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project has formally called on President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into findings by the Auditor General of the Federation that point to the alleged diversion, misapplication and disappearance of more than N6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. The organisation also wants the recovery of missing firearms and ammunition documented in the same report.
The allegations are drawn from the Auditor General’s 2022 Annual Report, which was published on September 9, 2025. In a letter dated August 1, 2026 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged the President to direct 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 all those implicated. SERAP said anyone found responsible, including public officials, contractors and companies, should face prosecution where evidence is sufficient, while missing funds, firearms and ammunition should be recovered and properly accounted for.
According to SERAP, the Auditor General’s findings amount to “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 report, as cited by the organisation, documented unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failure to account for recovered firearms, and insecure storage of weapons. SERAP warned that these lapses pose significant threats to public safety and national security, especially at a time when insecurity continues to challenge communities across the country.
Specific cases highlighted include the payment of over N499.8 million for the construction of the Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State. The Auditor General stated that the project was never executed, raising the possibility that the funds may have been diverted. Similar irregularities were recorded with payments of more than N12.9 million for rehabilitation works at the Department of Logistics and Supply building in Garki and N111.6 million for projects at the NPF Pre retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kaduna State, both of which were reportedly not carried out.
The report further noted that taxes amounting to over N4 million were inserted into a contract in a manner that inflated its cost. More than N1.9 billion was paid for 14 projects that were later abandoned, with replacement contracts that could not be traced. In addition, irregular payments exceeding N112 million were made for outstanding allowances not captured in the 2022 budget. Unretired cash advances exceeded N10 million. The Nigeria Police Force also failed to submit its 2022 financial statements, while questionable insurance payments surpassed N681 million. Procurement irregularities involving the Ministry of Police Affairs were also flagged.
On the issue of arms and exhibits, the Auditor General recorded that 42 firearms, including AK 47 rifles and pistols, together with 737 rounds of live ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury in 2021 and 2022, were never returned. The report expressed concern that the arms and ammunition may have been lost or fallen into the wrong hands. Recovered exhibits, including firearms, vehicles and monetary items, were allegedly converted for operational use or released without proper authorisation. Several exhibits could not be traced or properly documented. The FCT Police Command was also found to have stored obsolete and unserviceable firearms in its armoury.
SERAP linked these findings to broader operational weaknesses within the police. It argued that the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects and missing firearms have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Force and eroded public confidence at a time when Nigerians continue to face insecurity. The organisation noted that the cumulative effect of such irregularities undermines the ability of the police to protect lives and property.
This is not the first time audit reports have raised questions about the management of police resources. Earlier Auditor General reports, including those covering previous years, had documented large numbers of unaccounted firearms across police formations nationwide. The persistence of similar issues in the 2022 report has intensified calls for stronger internal controls, better record keeping and greater transparency in the handling of both funds and lethal assets.
The letter from SERAP comes against the background of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to reform security institutions and improve accountability. Whether the call for investigation will lead to concrete action, including recovery of funds and prosecution of those found culpable, will depend on the response of the relevant authorities. For now, the detailed findings of the Auditor General have placed the management of police finances and armouries under renewed public scrutiny.
SERAP has maintained that only a comprehensive, independent and transparent probe can restore public trust and ensure that resources meant to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force are used strictly for that purpose.