IGP: Police need N1trn — but got only N36bn in 2017 budget

Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of police, says the force requires N1.13 trillion annually, “a far cry” from the N36.1billion it got in the 2017 budget.

He made this known on Tuesday while speaking at a public hearing on a ‘bill for an act to establish the Nigeria police reform trust fund and for other related matters’.

“What is required to run the force excluding major capital projects like arms and ammunition, purchase of new vehicles, gun boats, helicopters and other technological needs is conservatively put at N14.132,532,142,242,” he said.

“In 2017 budget, only N36.1billion was allocated to the Police for both capital and overhead costs.

“This is a far cry from the N1.13 trillion conservatively estimated. This difference is alarming and has sounded the loud trumpet that the regular budgetary allocation to run the police is sharply inadequate and requires urgent measure to address, if the Force must be effective and responsive to the security needs of Nigerians in a complex and dynamic policing space.”

He also said N26.9 billion is needed “to fuel and maintain 14,306 police vehicles and motorcycles” while estimated N700 billion is needed “to rehabilitate barracks, police stations and build new ones”.

Idris added that “over N200 billion is required” for the force to properly carry out investigation and prosecution of law offenders.

While supporting the immediate passage of the bill, the IGP said the police trust fund is the answer “because it would provide alternative and regular funding”.

He said poor funding has negatively affected the delivery of police personnel and that the desire for the economic development of Nigeria is only possible “if the security challenges are resolved”.

“To have security in Nigeria, the Police which is the foremost security agency must be funded and to fund the Police, the Police Trust Fund is the desired solution,” he said.