Report: Governors spent over N2trn on police equipment in 10 years

Governors have reportedly spent more than N2 trillion to boost police operations nationwide.

This is contained in a new a research conducted by the media department of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and published in the July edition of its magazine.

Some of the items purchased by the governors for the police include Hilux trucks, armoured personnel carriers (APCs), helicopters, river gun boats, horses, communication equipment, uniforms and handcuffs among others.

According to the research, the current administration in Lagos state spent over N4.765bn on sustaining the police in 2015.

In previous years, the state donated to the police 100 four-door saloon cars, 55 Ford Ranger pick-up trucks, 10 Toyota Landcruisers pick-up trucks, 15 BMW power-bikes, 100 Isuzu trucks, three helicopters, two gunboats, 15 APCs, revolving lights, sirens, communication gadgets, helmets, handcuffs among many other police requirements.

“It is not Lagos alone that has donated generously to the police. Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi and Abia states have all, at various times, donated generously to the police force towards ensuring the safety and security of their peoples and their property,” the report read.

According to the magazine, some governors, who in spite of these donations, have been unable to enjoy the partial loyalty of the police at their most critical hour of need.”

Darius Ishaku, governor of Taraba state, was quoted to have said, “I am sitting here as governor, but I cannot control one police troop whenever crises break in my state.”