The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive investigation into the alleged diversion, misapplication and disappearance of over N6.79 billion public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, as well as recover the missing firearms and ammunition.

The allegations are contained in the 2022 Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025.

According to the body, “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.”

It added that the report highlighted unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failure to account for recovered firearms, and insecure storage of weapons, warning that such lapses pose significant threats to public safety and national security.

Among others, SERAP also highlighted findings that 42 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, alongside 737 rounds of live ammunition booked into the FCT Police Command armoury in 2021 and 2022, were never returned.

In a letter over the weekend, signed by SERAP 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 Disu, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate those implicated and ensure prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.

SERAP said those found responsible, including contractors, companies and public officials, should be prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be recovered and properly accounted for.

According to SERAP, the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects and missing firearms have weakened the operational effectiveness of the police and eroded public confidence amid worsening insecurity.

It noted that the auditor-general documented several financial irregularities, including payments for unexecuted projects, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement processes, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.

Among the findings cited was the payment of over N499.8 million for the construction of the Police College Phase II in Bashar, Plateau State, which the auditor-general said was never executed, raising fears that the money may have been diverted.

The report also identified payments of over 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 executed.

It further alleged that taxes amounting to over N4 million were inserted to inflate a contract, while over N1.9 billion was paid for 14 projects later abandoned, with replacement contracts that could not be traced.

auditor-general also reported that recovered exhibits, including firearms, vehicles and monetary items, were allegedly converted for operational use or released without due authorisation, while several exhibits could not be traced or properly documented.

The report further alleged irregular payments exceeding N112 million for outstanding allowances not captured in the 2022 budget, unretired cash advances exceeding N10 million, non-submission of the NPF’s 2022 financial statements, questionable insurance payments exceeding N681 million, and procurement irregularities involving the Ministry of Police Affairs.