A Nigerian Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has shed light on the rampant corruption and severe underfunding crippling the Nigeria Police Force.
In a candid conversation with SaharaReporters, the officer disclosed that many police divisions nationwide are forced to function on an incredibly low quarterly budget, ranging from just N15,000 to N30,000. According to the DPO, this minimal funding creates a breeding ground for corruption, as officers face extreme financial constraints and may resort to unethical practices in order to survive.
The DPO also revealed that numerous divisions receive no funding at all. These stations, often unrecognized by Force Headquarters, are left out of the budget, leading to a complete lack of resources for their operations. The officer emphasized that eliminating corruption within the force is nearly impossible under the current conditions, with most police stations in the country sustained through corrupt means.
“When the police high command tells citizens that bail is free or that they shouldn’t bribe officers, they’re mocking the people. They know that the situation forces citizens to pay bribes or for bail,” the officer stated.
He called for a comprehensive reform of the police system, warning that a country with a corrupt and ineffective police force has little hope for progress.
“How many people can refuse to pay bail given the terrible condition of police detention cells? How many are willing to stay in detention until they are charged to court? It’s a tough reality,” he added.
The officer provided specific details about the grim situation, explaining that many divisions receive just N15,000 or N30,000 every three or four months, depending on their jurisdiction. “For those divisions fortunate enough to get a quarterly allocation, they still struggle. There are others that receive nothing at all, yet they are expected to function. These divisions were created to bring the police closer to the people, but without any funding, it’s impossible.”
He continued, “Imagine receiving N15,000 to run a division that has at least four patrol vehicles. You’re expected to fuel these vehicles and patrol the area for three months with that money. It’s simply not feasible. On top of that, we have to maintain these vehicles, buy office supplies, pay for utilities, and even provide food for detainees who don’t have family support. How can we possibly do all this on such a small budget?”
The officer pointed out that this financial strain is the reason police stations often ask citizens for money to cover basic needs like stationery. “As a DPO, I can’t use my personal funds to run the station, so we rely on bail money and other means,” he said.
“When you hear someone from Force Headquarters saying that bail is free, know that they are misleading you. It’s not free, and it can’t be under the current circumstances.”
The DPO urged the National Assembly to investigate how the police budget is allocated and spent, particularly the funds directed to divisional offices. Despite the challenges, he expressed hope that corruption in the police force could be tackled if key stakeholders, including the media, civil society groups, lawmakers, the judiciary, and the presidency, come together to address the issues.
At the time of this report, SaharaReporters was unable to obtain comments from Force Headquarters regarding the DPO’s claims. Attempts to reach Force spokesperson ACP Muyiwa Adejobi were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.
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