LAGOS, Nigeria: The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project urged Nigeria‘s President, Bola Tinubu, on August 2, 2026, to investigate the alleged diversion of over ₦6.79 billion (approximately $4.5 million) and missing firearms within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
Okay News reports that Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, issued a letter dated August 1, 2026, giving the federal government seven days to act on the recommendations. The organisation based its demands on the Auditor-General of the Federation‘s annual report, which was published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation asked Bola Tinubu to direct Nigeria‘s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate the allegations and prosecute culpable individuals. The group said the findings represent a grave betrayal of the public trust and involve payments for unexecuted projects, inflated costs, and irregular procurement.
The letter stated, “The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.” The organisation noted that missing weapons included 42 firearms and 737 rounds of live ammunition booked into the Federal Capital Territory Police Command armoury between 2021 and 2022.
Specific financial irregularities cited in the letter included ₦499,875,500 (approximately $333,000) paid for an uncompleted police college in Bashar, Plateau State, and ₦1,938,299,452 (approximately $1.29 million) for 14 abandoned contracts in 2022. The letter read, “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 statement from the organisation was released at 10:47 AM WAT. The Auditor-General‘s report also detailed the award of contracts worth ₦438.1 million (approximately $292,000) for bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets, and troop carriers without due diligence.
