Senate approves N124.2bn for upgrade of police stations, barracks

The senate has approved a budget of N124.2 billion for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for the 2025 fiscal year.

The decision followed the adoption of a report by the senate committee on police affairs during Wednesday’s plenary.

Presenting the report, Yunus Akintunde, vice-chairman of the committee and senator representing Oyo central, said the budget proposal was carefully reviewed and retained as submitted.

He said N1.2 billion was allocated for personnel costs, while N98.6 billion would be used for capital projects aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

According to Akintunde, the budget will fund nationwide training programmes for officers, renovation and construction of police stations, and upgrades to barracks and health facilities.

He said the plan also includes the procurement of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to boost police mobility and reduce fuel costs.

Akintunde added that swift implementation of the budget was crucial given the country’s ongoing security challenges.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the appropriation was a bold step towards enhancing national security.

“This budget is not just numbers on paper; it is a crucial investment in the safety and well-being of every Nigerian,” he said.

“The committee must ensure proper oversight so that every kobo appropriated is used effectively for the benefit of the police and the Nigerian people.”

The NPTF was established to provide sustainable alternative funding for the training, welfare, and operational needs of the force.