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The Senate has passed a bill seeking to increase the statutory allocation to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) from 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account, in a move aimed at strengthening police funding, improving operational capacity and enhancing the welfare of personnel.

The legislation, titled Police Trust Fund Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026 (SB. 1030), was read for the third time and passed following the consideration of a report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Mallam-Madori Ahmed (APC, Jigawa East).

Presenting the report, Ahmed urged the Senate to consider and adopt the committee’s recommendations on the executive bill, which seeks to establish a stronger legal and institutional framework for funding and supporting the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill is designed to provide sustainable financing for police training, procurement of security equipment, acquisition of operational assets and improvement of personnel welfare, with the objective of enhancing accountability, efficiency and service delivery within the Force.

Lawmakers noted that the proposed legislation is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s policing architecture by boosting intelligence gathering capabilities and improving the fight against crime and insecurity across the country.

A key provision of the bill is the increase in statutory allocation to the Police Trust Fund from the current 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account, a proposal that generated extensive debate among senators over its fiscal implications.

Sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), the bill seeks to repeal the existing Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act of 2019 and replace it with a more comprehensive framework capable of addressing longstanding challenges facing the Force.

Leading the debate before the bill passed second reading, Bamidele described the proposal as a strategic national security intervention aimed at tackling chronic underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment and welfare concerns within the police system.

He argued that evolving security threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime, require a modern and sustainably funded police force capable of responding effectively to contemporary challenges.

According to the Senate Leader, the proposed funding structure goes beyond allocations from the Federation Account and incorporates development levies, government interventions, international grants and private-sector contributions.

He explained that the bill also introduces a strengthened governance structure, including a multi-stakeholder board and a Project Implementation Committee, to ensure greater transparency, accountability and efficient project execution.

Bamidele said the objectives of the legislation include establishing a more robust and accountable Police Trust Fund, ensuring predictable and sustainable funding streams, enhancing operational and technological capabilities of the Force, improving personnel welfare and professionalism, and supporting modern policing strategies in line with global best practices.

Under the proposed funding model, the Trust Fund will derive resources from:

One per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account;
Development levies as provided under relevant tax laws;
Grants and interventions from federal, state and local governments;
Donations and support from bilateral and multilateral development partners; and
Contributions and endowments from the private sector.

The Senate Leader said the diversified funding arrangement would reduce dependence on annual budgetary allocations and guarantee long-term sustainability.

He added that funds generated under the scheme would be deployed to priority areas, including the acquisition of modern security equipment and operational tools, deployment of digital surveillance systems and forensic technology, construction and rehabilitation of police facilities, strengthening of training institutions, enhancement of intelligence gathering and operational efficiency, emergency response interventions during internal security crises, and improved welfare packages for police officers and personnel.

With its passage by the Senate, the bill now moves to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration before it can be transmitted for presidential assent.

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Tension has heightened in Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State, following a peaceful protest by scores of indigenes against the proposed visit of the Olu of Warri Kingdom, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, to Ugbonuohworu (also known as Ugbolokposo), a community located in Uvwie Local Government Area.

The protesters, comprising members of the Egweya r’Uvwie (women’s group), youths, elders and other community stakeholders, urged the Federal Government and the Delta State Government to intervene, insisting that any visit by the Olu to the community should not take place without the consent of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Sideso Abe I.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Uvwie Says No to Olu Visit,” “Uvwie Is Not Itsekiri Land,” “We Need Peace in Uvwie Kingdom,” “There Is One King in Uvwie Kingdom,” and “Ugbonuohworu Is a Uvwie Community,” the demonstrators marched peacefully from Erovwie Community in Effurun, chanting solidarity songs.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Chairman of Erovwie Community, Chief Thomas Eyejewefe, JP, said the demonstration was prompted by what he described as claims by some Itsekiri groups that Ugbonuohworu belongs to them.

According to him, Ugbonuohworu is part of Etche Erovwie in Uvwie Kingdom, and the proposed visit by the Olu of Warri has heightened concerns among residents.

“We have always embraced peace, but information available to us indicates that the Olu of Itsekiri intends to visit Ugbonuohworu. As peace-loving people, we do not believe such a visit should take place without due regard to the traditional institution of Uvwie Kingdom,” he said.

Eyejewefe appealed to both the Federal and Delta State governments to intervene to prevent any action capable of creating tension in the area.

“We have only one traditional ruler in Uvwie Kingdom—the Ovie of Uvwie. We are calling on the authorities to ensure peace prevails by addressing this issue before it escalates,” he added.

He further maintained that Ugbonuohworu is surrounded by Erovwie, Okoribi, Ebrumede, Okuatata, Ugbomoro and Iteregbi communities, which he said are all within Uvwie Kingdom.

Also speaking, Chairman of Ugbomoro Community, Hon. (Chief) Ese Winfrey Ohwojaraye, described the proposed visit as capable of generating avoidable tension if not properly managed.

“We are appealing to the Delta State Government to intervene. We believe dialogue and respect for traditional institutions are necessary to preserve the peace that Uvwie Kingdom has enjoyed,” he stated.

Ohwojaraye urged Uvwie indigenes to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding despite their concerns, stressing that the protest was intended to draw the attention of government and relevant stakeholders to the matter.

Other community representatives, including Ejedegba Abrahama Mamekpe and Elizabeth Egamurumu, also expressed opposition to the proposed visit, aligning themselves with the position taken by the protest leaders.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Palace of the Olu of Warri nor the Delta State Government had issued an official response to the concerns raised by the protesters.

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A member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has said she begged former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to become Peter Obi’s running mate four years ago.

Yesufu disclosed this in a post on 𝕏 on Wednesday, while reaffirming her support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.

The activist said some political developments take longer than expected, but insisted she would not be distracted.

“Some things in life take longer than they should. Like the saying goes, better late than never.

“4 years ago I literally begged @KwankwasoRM to be Peter Obi’s running mate.

“Now that it is happening, you think I am going to be distracted? No way. Let’s get it done,” she wrote.

In other news, Yesufu challenged the Department of State Services (DSS) over its involvement in the prosecution of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The DSS had said it filed charges against Sowore under the Cybercrimes Act over a social media post in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “this criminal.”

The agency also maintained that Sowore’s remand followed court proceedings, adding that it neither arrested him nor opposed his bail.

Reacting to the development, Yesufu said Tinubu should seek redress in court if Sowore’s statement is false or defamatory, rather than involving the DSS.

She also criticised DSS’s focus on the matter amid the country’s security challenges.