Date: August 6, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
ABUJA, Nigeria — Some junior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have accused senior officers of widespread corruption, diversion of operational allowances, and poor welfare, calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Federal Government, and the National Assembly to urgently reform the force. The officers made the allegations anonymously, saying they feared victimisation if their identities were revealed.
According to the officers, corruption has become deeply entrenched within the police hierarchy, with personnel allegedly required to pay unofficial fees before transfers, postings, or administrative requests are approved. They claimed that officers pay as much as ₦200,000 to secure transfers from one command or division to another, while similar sums are allegedly demanded for postings to operational beats or special duties.
One officer alleged that virtually every request requiring approval from senior officers comes with an unofficial payment.
"Junior officers pay up to ₦200,000 to be transferred from one division or state to another. They also pay up to ₦200,000 to be posted to beat or special duty," the officer said.
The officers also accused senior police commanders of diverting Special Duty Allowances (SDA) and operational allowances meant for junior personnel. They alleged that money approved for officers deployed on special assignments is either withheld entirely or significantly reduced before reaching those entitled to receive it. Officers who question the practice, they claimed, are often told to "wait for your time," which they described as a culture used to normalize corruption within the force.
Beyond financial concerns, the officers said inadequate government funding has severely affected police operations across the country. They alleged that many patrol teams receive no fuel allocation for official vehicles, forcing officers to finance patrol operations from their personal salaries. According to them, the situation contributes to cases of extortion by some officers who seek money to keep patrol vehicles on the road.
The officers further claimed that junior personnel are routinely compelled to use their personal income to cover operational expenses, including booking rifles and ammunition, repairing patrol vehicles, purchasing office furniture and stationery, sewing uniforms, maintaining police barracks, feeding suspects in detention, and paying medical expenses for injured colleagues. They argued that these costs should ordinarily be borne by the government.
Fearing reprisals, including punitive transfers and disciplinary measures, the officers appealed for stronger oversight and institutional reforms. They urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and lawmakers overseeing police affairs to investigate the allegations and introduce measures that would improve transparency, accountability, and the welfare of rank-and-file officers.
Among their recommendations were the abolition of the alleged sale of transfers and postings, direct payment of operational allowances to beneficiaries, improved logistics and funding for police operations, and stricter oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of authority by senior officers. They maintained that meaningful reform of the Nigeria Police Force must begin with addressing corruption within its leadership.
As of the publication of the report, there was no immediate public response from the Nigeria Police Force or the office of the Inspector-General of Police regarding the allegations. The claims remain allegations made by the officers and had not been independently verified by Reuters or other independent organizations.