The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds was diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The organisation also called for the recovery and proper accounting of missing firearms and ammunition allegedly identified in the latest report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
SERAP made the call in a letter dated August 1, 2026, according to a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The group said the allegations are contained in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report published on September 9, 2025, describing the findings as “a grave betrayal of the public trust.”
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-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations, recover any missing public assets and prosecute anyone found culpable.
According to SERAP, the audit report documented alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.
The organisation said the report also raised concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised release of police exhibits, failures to account for recovered weapons and insecure storage of firearms, warning that such lapses pose serious risks to public safety and national security.
SERAP gave the Nigerian Government seven days to act on its recommendations or face legal action.
“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.
Citing Sections 14 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, SERAP argued that the government has a constitutional obligation to prioritise citizens’ welfare and abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.
Among the findings highlighted by the organisation was the alleged payment of ₦499.9 million for the construction of Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, which the Auditor-General reportedly said was never executed.
SERAP also cited an alleged ₦12.9 million payment for the rehabilitation of a police building in Garki, Abuja, and ₦111.6 million for the construction and rehabilitation of facilities at the Nigeria Police Force Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre in Kudan, Kaduna State, claiming the projects were not carried out.
The group further referenced allegations that taxes worth more than ₦4 million were inserted to inflate a contract, while over ₦1.9 billion was reportedly paid for 14 projects that were later abandoned before new contracts were awarded.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report also alleged that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, as well as 737 rounds of live ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022, were never returned.
The organisation added that the report questioned the handling of police exhibits, including vehicles, firearms and ammunition, alleging that some were converted for operational use or released without proper authorisation, while others could not be accounted for.
SERAP also referenced alleged procurement irregularities within the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including contracts valued at ₦438.1 million for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and troop carriers, which it claimed were awarded without due diligence.
The organisation maintained that anyone found responsible for proven wrongdoing should be prosecuted and all missing public funds and security assets recovered in the public interest.