Police Trust Fund seeks better funding to tackle insecurity

The Nigeria Police Trust Fund has asked the Senate to increase its statutory allocation from 0.5 per cent to one per cent to boost police operations and modernise law enforcement against rising insecurity across the country The request was made on Tuesday during a public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on a bill seeking to repeal the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019 and enact a new Act in 2026. Speaking at the hearing in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, stated that the proposal had already been approved by the National Police Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu. According to him, members of the council, including governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, agreed that sustainable funding was needed to tackle kidnapping, terrorism, cybercrime and other security threats. Sheidu said the additional funding would support the deployment of modern surveillance systems, drones, forensic laboratories, command-and-control centres and other digital policing tools. He said, “These are no longer optional investments; they are necessities for effective policing in the 21st century.” The NPTF boss also urged lawmakers to remove the sunset clause in the existing law, saying long-term funding would provide stability for strategic projects and attract support from development partners and the private sector. He explained that the proposed legislation would create additional sources of funding through international grants, development levies, intervention funds, private-sector contributions and philanthropic donations. Sheidu further welcomed provisions aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability through broader representation on the board, mandatory reporting requirements and stronger oversight mechanisms. According to him, the Fund’s five-year plan includes building more smart police stations across federal constituencies, establishing police reference hospitals in the six geopolitical zones, expanding training programmes and implementing housing schemes for officers. Related News Stop politicising security, Umahi tells Nigerians State police constitutional framework near completion, says Presidency Court orders Sowore to open defence in defamation trial Earlier, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said security remained critical to economic growth and national development. He noted that the Police Trust Fund had contributed significantly to police training, infrastructure development and wel