Four leading non-governmental organisations whose missions revolve around accountability and anti-corruption have written Usman Alkali, the Inspector General of Police, for answers on the spending of funds for police transit camps, a project initially begun by the interior ministry in 2016 but subsequently taken over by the Police.

Initially, the police transit camps were a project of the Federal Ministry of Interior. In 2016, The ministry had contracted Kakaras Nigeria Limited to build transit camps in Katsina, Bauchi and Plateau State for about N245million each. Each camp was to have a Rapid Response Squad (RRS) unit and a police station. The buildings were also to be furnished and electrified.

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The Force Headquarters took charge of that N736million project following agitations that a police project should remain with the Police. Although the Nigeria Police did not complete that project despite the release of funds, it earmarked about N175million each for similar ones in Benue and Kano in its 2018 and 2019 budgets.

An FIJ investigation on the mismanagement of the transit camp funds initially flew under the radar. However, after the Force Headquarters went after FIJ due to its persistent references to the DIG Joseph Egbunike, the then Commissioner of Police in charge of budget and finance, more members of the public are now aware of the project, with four leading NGOs now seeking answers.

“Connected Development (CODE), BudgIT, SERAP and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), civil society organisations promoting government’s transparency and accountability, jointly write, in pursuant of the Section 2 (4) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, that you use your good office and leadership position in the Nigeria Police Force to compile and provide budgetary allocation, expenditures, contractors, procurement processes and other details of the supply and installation of Police Transit Camp Buildings by the Police Headquarters from 2018 till date,” they said in their statement.

“We understand that the Nigerian Police Force receives annual budgetary allocations by the Federal Government of Nigeria and state governments alike to support their operations and welfare which in turn has a significant effect on the state of security of the nation. 

“Having observed that the welfare of the police officers is seemingly grossly underfunded and has become an issue of national concern despite the huge allocations to the security parastatal, it has become expedient to request for these details. 

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“The request is in line with Section 2 (4) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 which requires all information relating to receipt or expenditure of public or other funds of the institutions to be ”widely disseminated and made readily available.” 

“We will appreciate it if the information requested is provided to us within 7 days of the receipt of this letter as required by the FOIA 2011. Please accept our highest regards. Thank you in anticipation of your urgent attention to this matter.”

The seven-day ultimatum issued to the IGP expires on Tuesday December 21, 2022.