Row in Senate as Police Trust Fund Bill scales second reading

The Bill seeks to repeal the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, and replace it with a new legal framework to strengthen funding, governance, training, equipment provision and welfare for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Leading the debate, Bamidele described the proposed legislation as a strategic response to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime and communal unrest.

He said the police remained constrained by inadequate funding, obsolete equipment, poor infrastructure, insufficient training and welfare challenges, which have negatively affected personnel morale and operational efficiency.

According to him, the Bill proposes a diversified funding structure anchored on a per cent of total revenue accruing to the Federation Account, development levies under relevant tax laws, grants from federal, state and local governments, as well as contributions from international partners and the private sector.

The Senate Leader noted that the fund would support the acquisition of modern security equipment, deployment of digital surveillance and forensic technology, rehabilitation of police facilities, strengthening of training institutions, intelligence gathering and improved welfare packages for officers and personnel.

Bamidele added that the Bill also provided for stronger governance structures, including a multi-stakeholder board and a Project Implementation Committee to enhance transparency, accountability and efficient execution of projects.

Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue), who seconded the motion, said the amendment was necessary in view of the country’s security situation.

He stressed that inadequate funding was a major challenge confronting the police.

Several senators expressed concerns over the proposed increase in statutory allocation to the fund.

Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) warned that increasing deductions from the Federation Account could significantly reduce funds available for distribution among the federal, state, and local governments.

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP, Gombe) called for an alignment between the proposed funding framework and ongoing discussions on state policing and broader security sector reforms.

Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo) advocated a performance-based disbursement mechanism to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi) also cautioned that the National Assembly must ensure the proposed deduction did not conflict with constitutional provisions on revenue sharing, recalling that governors previously challenged the existing 0.5 per cent allocation in court.

But Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno) defended the proposal, saying such funding arrangements were permissible when backed by legislation enacted by the National Assembly.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured the lawmakers that the Senate would ensure the constitutionality of the Bill and subject it to further scrutiny at the public hearing stage.

The Senate President stressed the need for strict accountability in the management of the Fund.

After deliberations, the Senate passed the Bill for second reading and referred it to the Committee on Police Affairs for further legislative action, with a directive to report back within two weeks.