Insecurity: Security Expert Urges Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Establish ₦3tn Emergency Fund for Nigeria Police Force
A security expert, Matthew Ibadin, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently establish a ₦3 trillion Emergency Intervention Fund (EIF) for the Nigeria Police Force, warning that chronic underfunding continues to undermine effective policing and worsen insecurity across the country.
In an open letter addressed to the President, Ibadin said the proposed Emergency Intervention Fund is critical to repositioning the Nigeria Police for optimal performance, particularly at a time of rising security challenges nationwide.
He noted that while the recent appointment of Tunji Disu as Inspector-General of Police presents an opportunity for reform, meaningful transformation would be difficult without substantial financial backing.
According to him, the absence of a dedicated intervention fund for the police since the administration of Shehu Shagari has contributed significantly to the operational inefficiencies currently facing the force.
Ibadin identified several structural and operational gaps, including inadequate funding, lack of modern equipment, insufficient operational vehicles, and the near absence of functional police air support. He pointed out that Nigeria has fewer than three operational police helicopters for a population exceeding 200 million, compared to countries like South Africa with significantly higher aerial policing capacity.
He further highlighted the burden placed on citizens, who often fund investigations and logistics for cases reported to the police, describing the situation as contrary to global best practices. He contrasted this with agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, where investigations are state-funded.
The security expert also raised concerns over poor welfare conditions for officers, citing low salaries, dilapidated barracks, and inadequate retirement benefits. He argued that these challenges contribute to low morale, unprofessional conduct, and diminished public trust.
On operational deployment, Ibadin commended the withdrawal of over 11,000 mobile police officers from VIP protection duties but warned that many of them remain underutilized. He proposed redeploying such personnel to strengthen highway security and reduce incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
He also stressed the need for a centralized and interconnected criminal database to improve intelligence gathering, track repeat offenders, and enhance investigative efficiency.
In addition, Ibadin called for reforms in recruitment, advocating a merit-based system that prioritizes candidates with expertise in cybersecurity, forensic investigation, and intelligence. He urged the Federal Government to strengthen police training institutions and ensure their funding is backed by legislative provisions.
To drive the proposed intervention, he recommended that the EIF be managed by credible individuals, including business leaders like Aliko Dangote, alongside respected public figures such as Matthew Kukah, Omoyele Sowore, and Charles Oputa.
Ibadin referenced recent remarks by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, who emphasized that the armed forces alone cannot address the country’s security challenges, underscoring the need to strengthen the police as the lead internal security agency.
He also recalled the President’s earlier commitments to modernize the police, improve professionalism, and enhance operational efficiency through better equipment and training.
“The problem of the Nigeria Police is too vast to be solved through routine budgetary allocations,” Ibadin stated, adding that an emergency funding mechanism is essential to achieving meaningful and lasting reform.
He concluded that establishing the Emergency Intervention Fund would not only improve operational capacity but also restore public confidence and enable the police to better safeguard lives and property across Nigeria.
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