- Shocking Lack Of Funds, Says Divisions Allocated N15,000 To Run Stations For 3 Months, Some With Zero Allocation
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, the DPO revealed that Divisional Police Offices across the country are forced to operate on a meager quarterly budget of just N15,000 to N30,000.
A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has blown the whistle on the endemic corruption plaguing the Nigeria Police Force.
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, the DPO revealed that Divisional Police Offices across the country are forced to operate on a meager quarterly budget of just N15,000 to N30,000.
This paltry funding, the DPO suggests, creates an environment where corruption can thrive. With insufficient resources, police officers may be tempted to engage in corrupt practices to make ends meet.
The DPO further disclosed that the majority of the police divisions run on zero allocation, noting that the affected divisions were not recognized by the Force Headquarters and therefore their running costs are not captured in the budget.
He asserted that it is practically impossible to eliminate corruption within the Force, adding that all police stations in the country were being sustained with proceeds of corruption.
“When the police high command tells citizens that bail is free or don’t bribe a policeman, they’re simply mocking you because they know how situations will compel you to give bribe or pay for bail,” the DPO said.
He, therefore, called for a holistic overhauling of the system, adding that “any country with corrupt and weak police does not have a future”.
“Now tell me how many can resist bail payments considering the poor condition of police detention facilities? How many can endure to stay in police detention until they are charged to court?
“I’m giving you verifiable facts; Divisional Police Offices in this country collect N15,000 or N30,000 once in three or four months depending on strategic jurisdiction.
“This is for those divisions with quarterly allocation. There are those without a single kobo as allocation and they also have to operate. This category of divisions is being created to decentralize and bring the police close to the grassroots.
“Now come to think of it, you give me N15,000 or N30,000 on a quarterly basis to run a police division that has at least four patrol vans. And I’m expected to fuel those vehicles to patrol the area of jurisdiction for three months with N15,000; that’s a huge joke!
“Besides fueling, I’m expected to maintain those vehicles from the same money, then to buy stationery, provide utilities and other essentials to keep the station functional; how possible is this?
“From a humanitarian angle, you are with suspects in a cell who don’t have a relation to provide them food; what do you do? How do you feed them from the same N15,000 or N30,000 quarterly allocation?
“That’s why when someone goes to a station as a nominal complainant or even as a suspect, they’re asked to bring money to buy stationery for statements.
“It has to be so because as a DPO I cannot fall back on my bank account to do the job, that’s why we resort to bail monies and other proceeds.
“Therefore, if someone sits comfortably in a rocking chair at the Force Headquarters and tells you bail is free, they’re just mocking you. They know it’s not free and it can’t be free; not under the present circumstances,” the DPO said.
He urged the National Assembly to launch an inquiry into police budget spendings, particularly allocations to divisional police offices in the country.
He, however, expressed optimism that there could be a turnaround if stakeholders comprising the media, civil society groups, country’s parliament, judiciary and indeed the presidency would join forces to address corruption at the level of the police top command.
As of the time of filing this report, SaharaReporters could not reach the Force Headquarters for comments regarding the revelations made by the DPO.
Force spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi did not answer his calls or reply to a text message sent to him.
SAHARA REPORTERS
