The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately order a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion and mismanagement of over N6.79bn within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, warning that it will institute legal action if the Federal Government fails to act within seven days.
SERAP also called for the recovery and proper accounting of dozens of missing firearms and ammunition reportedly uncovered in the latest report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The rights organisation made the demand in a letter dated August 1, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and made available to journalists on Sunday.
According to SERAP, the allegations are contained in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation described the alleged financial infractions and disappearance of weapons as “a grave betrayal of the public trust,” warning that they pose serious threats to public accountability and national security.
It urged President Tinubu 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-graft agencies to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
SERAP said, “The allegations documented in the Auditor-General’s report suggest widespread financial misconduct and serious accountability failures within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.”
It added that, “Those responsible for any proven wrongdoing should be prosecuted, while all missing public funds and security assets should be fully recovered in the public interest.”
The organisation alleged that the Auditor-General’s report uncovered several financial irregularities, including payments for projects allegedly never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services reportedly not rendered.
It also raised concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised release and operational use of police exhibits, poor documentation of recovered items and inadequate storage of weapons.
According to SERAP, such lapses could undermine public safety and national security if left unchecked.
Among the projects cited in the report is the alleged payment of over N499.8m for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, despite claims that the project was never executed.
The organisation also pointed to the alleged payment of N12.9m for the rehabilitation of a building in Garki that was not carried out and another N111.6m reportedly paid for the construction of a transit camp and administrative block in Kudan, Kaduna State, which it said was never executed.
SERAP further alleged that more than N4m was inserted as taxes to inflate the cost of a contract, while over N1.9bn was paid for 14 contracts awarded in 2022 that were later abandoned before fresh contracts were reportedly re-awarded.
The anti-corruption organisation also cited findings that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, as well as 737 rounds of live ammunition lodged in the Federal Capital Territory Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022, were never returned.
It further alleged that some police exhibits, including vehicles, firearms and ammunition, were diverted for operational use or released without proper authorisation.
SERAP also accused the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs of procurement irregularities, alleging that contracts worth N438.1m for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers were awarded without due process.
The organisation said other questionable expenditures identified by the Auditor-General involved insurance claims, cash advances, training programmes and related payments.
It warned that if the Federal Government fails to initiate a credible investigation and ensure accountability within seven days, it would seek judicial intervention to compel compliance.
SERAP maintained that holding those responsible accountable would strengthen public confidence in governance, improve transparency in public institutions and reinforce the fight against corruption.
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