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SERAP warns that findings in the Auditor-General’s report suggest missing police firearms and ammunition may have fallen into the wrong hands, posing serious risks to national security.
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Rights group asks President Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into alleged diversion and misapplication of more than ₦6.79 billion within the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Police Affairs.
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Organisation calls for the prosecution of contractors, companies, and public officials found culpable, alongside the recovery of missing public funds, firearms, ammunition, and police exhibits.
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SERAP gives the Tinubu administration a seven-day deadline to begin implementing the Auditor-General’s recommendations, insisting it will seek judicial intervention to compel compliance if the government fails to act.
August 2, (THEWILL) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order an immediate investigation into allegations that over ₦6.79 billion in public funds are unaccounted for within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
He cited audit findings that missing firearms and ammunition from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command “may have been lost or fallen into the wrong hands.”
SERAP also 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 conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
The organisation further demanded the immediate recovery and proper accounting of all missing public funds, firearms, ammunition, and police exhibits.
It warned that the alleged diversion of resources meant for policing, alongside poor management of weapons and exhibits, has far-reaching implications for public safety, national security, and public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
The demands were contained in a letter dated August 1, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following findings contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General for the Federation, which was published on September 9, 2025.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report paints a disturbing picture of financial recklessness, procurement abuses, and weak accountability systems within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
“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 organisation said.
It added that the report also raises “serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
SERAP argued that the alleged diversion of funds meant to strengthen policing, combined with abandoned security projects and missing weapons, undermines the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, erodes public confidence, and may be worsening Nigeria’s security challenges.
The rights group called on the Federal Government to immediately implement the Auditor-General’s recommendations, insisting that accountability must extend to every contractor, company, and public official linked to the alleged irregularities.
“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 letter stated.
SERAP also reminded the Federal Government that Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution mandates the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power, while Section 14(2)(b) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
Audit Uncovers Multi-Billion Naira Financial Irregularities
Among the findings highlighted by SERAP was the payment of ₦499.88 million for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, despite auditors finding that the project was never executed.
The report also alleged that ₦12.93 million was paid for the rehabilitation of Block B of the Department of Logistics and Supply building in Garki, Abuja, while another ₦111.64 million was paid for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp apartments and rehabilitation works at the NPF Pre-Retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kaduna State. Auditors said neither project was executed.
In another instance, the Auditor-General alleged that over ₦4 million was inserted as tax to inflate a contract, while approximately ₦1.94 billion was paid for 14 projects recorded as ongoing in 2022.
According to the report, the projects were later abandoned and fresh contracts awarded, with the new projects proving impossible to trace during the audit.
The audit further questioned the payment of over ₦112 million to police personnel to settle outstanding allowances from 2020, despite the expenditure not being provided for in the approved 2022 budget.
It also faulted the Nigeria Police Force for failing to prepare its statutory financial statements for 2022 in line with applicable International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), describing the omission as a serious breach of financial reporting obligations.
One of the most disturbing findings relates to firearms and police exhibits.
According to the Auditor-General, the FCT Police Command booked 42 firearms, comprising AK-47 rifles and pistols, together with 737 rounds of live ammunition, into its armoury during 2021 and 2022. However, the weapons were reportedly never returned.
The report warned that the firearms and ammunition “may have been lost or fallen into the wrong hands,” a development SERAP said demands urgent criminal investigation because of the obvious implications for national security.
The audit also alleged that nine AK-47 rifles recovered during police operations were deployed by the FCT Criminal Investigation Department without due authorisation.
Auditors equally reported that police authorities failed to account for 24 exhibits listed in the exhibit register, denied officials from the Office of the Auditor-General access to the exhibit room during inspection, and failed to document several firearms and ammunition recovered from crime scenes.
In addition, over ₦5 million in monetary exhibits, alongside firearms, ammunition, laptops, and other recovered items, were allegedly released without the legally required authorisation or execution of bonds.
The report also criticised the storage of obsolete and unserviceable firearms in unsecured locations rather than properly secured armouries.
Insurance, Procurement, and Contract Awards Queried
Beyond the management of firearms, the Auditor-General questioned several procurement and financial transactions across the police system.
According to the report, the Nigeria Police Force Insurance Unit paid over ₦681.4 million to insurance brokers for beneficiaries’ claims that were allegedly never settled. It also failed to clear insurance policy liabilities exceeding ₦1.62 billion.
The report further alleged that over ₦10 million in cash advances granted to officers for office equipment exceeded the approved threshold and remained unretired.
Auditors also questioned the engagement of the Inspector-General of Police’s Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters, alleging that the annual remuneration of ₦6 million was paid through another staff member rather than directly to the appointee.
The report additionally alleged that the Force failed to properly document the loss of 10 operational horses and did not follow due process before deleting them from official records.
It further accused the police of failing to destroy obsolete firearms kept at the Force Headquarters armoury.
Ministry of Police Affairs Under Scrutiny
SERAP said the audit also uncovered multiple procurement irregularities within the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
Among the transactions queried were contracts worth over ₦438 million for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, and troop carriers allegedly awarded without due diligence.
The ministry was also accused of paying ₦18 million for a women empowerment programme in Ondo Central Senatorial District without documentary evidence of participants, training manuals, or certificates.
Another ₦258.99 million contract for the procurement of 10 patrol vehicles for police outposts in Kano State was reportedly awarded to an allegedly unqualified contractor without due diligence.
Auditors equally questioned the payment of more than ₦30.85 million in security allowances through an intermediary instead of directly to the personnel who were entitled to receive them.
The report further alleged that the Police Public Relations Office irregularly paid over ₦57.48 million to contractors for customised umbrellas, towels, gift bags, and video cameras without competitive bidding, while more than ₦7.76 million in statutory withholding tax and Value Added Tax deductions were allegedly not remitted.
Background
The latest demand is part of SERAP’s sustained advocacy for the implementation of recommendations contained in annual reports of the Auditor-General for the Federation, which routinely identify suspected financial irregularities across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Under Sections 85 and 125 of the Constitution and relevant public finance laws, the Auditor-General is empowered to audit public accounts and report suspected infractions to the National Assembly and other competent authorities.
Although audit findings do not constitute proof of criminal liability, they often form the basis for further investigations by anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement bodies.
SERAP has consistently argued that successive governments have failed to act decisively on many of the Auditor-General’s recommendations, allowing billions of naira in suspected public funds to remain unrecovered while accountability measures are delayed.
The organisation maintained that prompt investigation, prosecution of those found culpable, recovery of public assets, and full implementation of the Auditor-General’s recommendations are essential not only to strengthening public accountability but also to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s policing institutions at a time of mounting security challenges across the country.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
