By Adewole Kehinde
The Nigeria police face challenges with inadequate operational vehicles. While some facilities have unused vehicles, others lack even basic patrol vehicles. This shortage can affect police responsiveness and potentially increase crime.
Analysis of the police budgets from 2015 to 2020 indicates that the force proposed N115.8billion for capital projects while N58.9billion was released by the Federal Government.
Items in the capital budget include security equipment, air navigational equipment, vehicles and trucks, industrial equipment, books, police stations, barracks, rehabilitation of residential and office buildings, aerodromes, and medical equipment.
In 2020, capital appropriation was N14.2billion but the amount released was N12.billion. In 2019, the police received N6.3billion capital vote out of the proposed N22,064,903 while N11.9billion was released out of the N25.1billion allocated in 2018.
In 2017, N9,099,136,000 was said to have been released out of the N20.1billion proposed for capital projects while N10, 026,818,000 was released out of the capital allocation of N16.1billion in 2016.
The NPF reportedly got N8.9billion out of N17.8billion proposed in its 2015 budget.
Though the Ministry of Police Affairs allocated N20 million for the provision of two-way radios and security solutions for the police in its 2020 appropriation, there was no evidence that the gadgets were supplied.
Investigation revealed that the police commands and formations had a budget of N2,037,820,626, 202 out of the N7,786,923,450,732 allocated for national security between 2015 and 2020 by the government.
Police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of sanction, said only senior officers were given two-way radios, adding that policemen on patrol depended on their mobile phones to communicate with their superiors.
This situation, it was gathered, had endangered many police officers who were sometimes unable to call for reinforcement while under attack due to a lack of standard police communication gadgets.
Checks revealed that many police vehicles are in terrible shape due to the inability of the force to replace them on account of poor funding by the Federal Government.
On May 27, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun commissioned the NPF’s EOD-CBRN Unit 50 new advanced vehicles
At the ceremony in Abuja, the IGP showed his commitment to improving national security and raising the performance of key police units.
The newly acquired vehicles are of the latest technology and designed to address all kinds of shifting threats.
The production of these customised vehicles is very careful, so they are ready for any modern security threats that might occur. They are important investments for security because the EOD-CBRN Unit continues to play a key role in fighting terrorism and other new threats.
The IGP applauded the bravery and skill of the EOD-CBRN experts on duty. According to him, the initiative marks a vital part of the overall plan to turn the NPF into a security organisation that relies on technology.
Egbetokun further said his focus on safety is shown by this investment, as he went on to say that these vehicles would greatly improve how quickly and effectively the unit deals with explosive and CBRN situations.
The IGP also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for always backing and supporting the development of the police force.
During the same week, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, expressed his deep appreciation to the Ministry of Police Affairs for the donation of Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles (LTAVs) to the Nigeria Police Force.
The formal handover of the vehicles took place on Wednesday during a brief but significant ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.
The event was chaired by the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and was attended by key dignitaries, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations; the Force Transport Officer; and other major stakeholders.
In his address, Senator Gaidam reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force through the provision of modern security equipment and capacity-building initiatives. He noted that the donation of the LTAVs is a reflection of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to bolster internal security and ensure police personnel are adequately equipped to confront evolving threats.
He urged police operatives to make judicious use of the vehicles in the collective mission to safeguard lives and property across the country.
Egbetokun described the donation as a significant step in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Police Force, especially in addressing emerging security challenges nationwide. He praised the Ministry for its continued support and reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to fulfilling its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property.
He emphasized that the LTAVs would be strategically deployed to enhance police response times, improve officer safety, and boost public confidence in the ability of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain peace and order across the country.
On the the 5th of June, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun inaugurated 31 combat gunboats to strengthen waterway security in Nigeria at the Maritime Police Command, Lagos.
He described the initiative as a symbol of renewed commitment to maritime safety, anti-crime patrols and rescue missions across the nation’s aquatic territories.
In his words, “The addition of these purpose-built gunboats to the operational logistics of the Marine Police demonstrates our commitment to maritime security and our determination to stay ahead of emerging threats.
“The deployment of these assets reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to sustainable law enforcement and modernised policing standards.
“These gunboats are not just vessels; they represent our unwavering resolve to protect Nigeria’s waterways, safeguard lives and property, and dismantle criminal networks.
“The integration of solar-powered systems aligns with global best practices in green policing and highlights our leadership in environmentally responsible law enforcement, he said.
Egbetokun further reiterated the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting the vital role of synergy between the Police, Armed Forces, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), and other stakeholders in ensuring maritime security.
“Securing Nigeria is a collaborative effort. The police will continue to deepen our collaboration with our sister security agencies, particularly the armed forces, the maritime administration and safety agency, and the Nigeria Post Authority, among others.
“We recognise that intelligence-led policing and community engagement remain cornerstones of effective crime prevention.
“We shall continue to partner closely with coastal communities, leverage local intelligence and build mutual trust in order to deny criminals the operating space,” the police chief said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and strategic investment in the modernisation of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Under President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, the Nigeria Police is undergoing a transformation marked by reform, modernisation and professional excellence.
“The inauguration of the boats is a testament to the administration’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of the force to fulfil its constitutional mandate, he said.
Egbetokun reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to upholding law and order across the nation.
“We will continue to strive with courage and integrity to protect you, to defend the territorial integrity of our nation, and to ensure that Nigeria remains safe for all,” he stated.
The current initiative of the IGP is in line with his goal to boost the police force, introduce new technologies and encourage preventive actions to fight crime.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. @kennyadewole kennyadewole@gmail.com
