By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has resolved to initiate a thorough investigation into the operations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), following serious conceeydqrns regarding alleged irregularities, misconduct, and unauthorized disposal of government property.
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This resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Ibe Okwarra Osunwa, Rep. Mark Esset, and Rep. Jafaru Leko on the “Urgent Need to Investigate Allegations of Systematic Abuse of Office, Corruption and Asset Stripping in the Nigeria Police Force”, on Thursday at plenary.
During the session, lawmakers highlighted the potential risks posed by institutional lapses within the Police Force, warning that such issues—if left unaddressed—could undermine national security and diminish public confidence in law enforcement.
Debating the motion, Rep. Osunwa noted that the primary mandate of the Nigeria Police, as enshrined in Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), includes the protection of lives and property and the enforcement of laws.
He, however, Decried that “recent revelations indicate that this mandate is being grossly undermined by entrenched corruption and abuse of process within the Force.”
He said that investigative reports, including those by Peoples Gazette and other media platforms, showed that the NPF’s Procurement Department allegedly split a ₦6 billion contract for police uniforms into 66 separate contracts to bypass the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
Equally disturbing, is the alleged sale of key national assets—including the Garki Police Barracks in Abuja, Falomo Barracks in Lagos, and Bompai Barracks in Kano—to private individuals linked to a real estate company, Exima Realty Ltd. These transactions reportedly occurred without approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Ministry of Police Affairs, or the Federal Executive Council.
“This is not just a breach of financial procedures, it is a direct sabotage of our national security architecture, If barracks meant to house our security personnel are sold off without due process, where then lies our preparedness to fight crime?” Esset added.
The lawmakers also cited instances of alleged contract fraud under the 2024 budget cycle, naming companies such as Dexterity Development Ltd., KC Construction Ltd., and Strong Tower Infrastructure Development Ltd. as beneficiaries of irregular awards running into tens of billions of naira.
They further alleged that over ₦2.9 billion earmarked for the Safe School Initiative was diverted under a contract with Vigiscope Ltd., which lacked required regulatory certifications.
More alarming, the House heard, are claims that more than ₦50 billion was disbursed to unverified companies—including PSGL Nigeria Ltd., SOLYD Nigeria Ltd., and Radio Tactics Global Services—for the supply of arms, boots, and forensic equipment, most of which were allegedly never delivered.
“Disturbed by the reported sale of critical national security assets including Garki Police Barracks (Abuja), Falomo Police Barracks (Lagos), and Bompai Barracks (Kano) to private individuals closely linked to Exima Realty Company Ltd. Without due process or required approvals from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Ministry of Police Affairs, ar the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and in total disregard for the PPP.
“Various contracts under the 2024 budget running into tens of billions ‘ Waira have allegedly been awarded by the Nigeria Police Force without compliance with statutory procurement processes, including the Federal Executive, Counc approval, Ministerial Tenders Board> vetting, and Bureau of Public précdrement (BPP) no-objection certification; the Companies involved in these alleged violations include Dexterity Development Ltd., KC Construction Ltg., ontract Technologies Ltd., Strong Tower Infrastructure Development Ltd., among others.
“Worried about reports of the diversion Of ₦2.9 billion meant for the Safe School Initiative under a contract awarded to Vigiscope Ltd., despite failing to meet Statutory requirements such as obtaining a NITDA certificate as mandated for all IcT-related procurements in MDAs;
“Further Worried about credible allegations that several contracts amounting to over #50 billion were paid to unqualified and unverified companies for-the supply of arms, boots, gunboats, and forensic intelligence equipment, without any execution or delivery, thereby putting national security at risk. These companies include PSGL Nigeria Ltd., SOLYD Nigeria Ltd., Toffy Ventures Ltd., Rush Rights Ltd., Value Exchange Ltd., and Radio Tactics Global Services, among others.
“These revelations suggest a deeply rooted culture of impunity and deliberate sabotage of procurement and oversight mechanisms within the Police Force,” Hon. Jafaru Leko said.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Public Accounts and Procurement to launch an in-depth investigation into the NPF’s procurement practices, with particular focus on violations of financial laws, contract fraud, illegal asset sales, and diversion of funds, and report back in six weeks for further legislative action.
