IGP wants National Assembly to remove police from envelope budgetary regime

NDA commandant seeks N200m for diesel, maintenance of generators

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Baba Alkali, yesterday, called on the National Assembly to remove Nigeria Police Force from the envelope budgetary regime to make the force properly project its funding requirements for budgetary appropriation, operational planning and optimal service delivery.

He also sought approval for adequate funds for the newly established special operations account of the force to enable it respond effectively to unanticipated national security emergencies and support ongoing special operations across the country.

Alkali spoke during his 2022 budget presentation before the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Police Affairs.

He urged the lawmakers to deploy their legislative instruments to make a strong case for prompt and full release of funds appropriated to the police in the 2022 budget.

He also asked the two chambers to approve and allocate funds for the zonal police headquarters recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari but which are yet to commence operations due to budgetary challenges.

The headquarters are: Zone 13, Ukpo-Dunukofia, Awka-Anambra State; Zone 14, Katsina; Zone 15, Maiduguri; Zone 16, Yenagoa; and Zone 17, Akure.

According to the IGP, operations of the Police Special Operational and Tactical Units including the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Forces (SF), and Special Tactical Squads (STS) can only be improved with increased funding, thus, enhancing their critical internal security operations.

He asked the legislators to approve a self-accounting status for police training institutions and colleges to position them for human capacity development functions, in line with the long-term agenda of the Federal Government.

This came as Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Ibrahim Yusuf, asked the House Committee on Defence to approve additional N200 million for the purchase of diesel, maintenance of generators and other basic amenities.

He told the lawmakers to approve another conservative sum of N450 million monthly to the NDA University to fund its academic needs and N250 million yearly for research and development activities.