Babajide Otitoju reveals the “Imprest” paid to Police DPOs in Nigeria

Investigative Nigerian journalist, Babajide Kolade Otitoju, has spoken concerning the funding of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). While discussing the agitations for the creation of state police across the country, Babajide made some revelations on the issue.

Addressing the topic, Babajide said, “We have to question how long we can carry on with a policing structure that is not in tandem with the time, not delivering the goods. The present structure of the Federal Police is significantly funded by the states. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently donated a variety of equipment to the police. The equipment is worth more than N1 billion.

He continued, “Billionaire Aliko Dangote also donated many cars to the police. The number of cars donated by the businessman would make one wonder if he purchased all police vehicles. Nigerian states are funding the armed forces due to the visible infrastructure gap. States can provide what is needed if they have their own police. Some people have argued that states cannot pay salaries. However, states have been buying patrol vehicles for the police. What is the “imprest” of a police DPO? It is not up to N50,000. Prominent police officers have told me that some DPOs do not even get imprest. There are disused vehicles in their stations, and I wonder how the federal police would cope without assistance from states. Lagos state established a security trust fund.

An imprest is a fund used by a business for small items of expenditure and restored to a fixed amount periodically.

Click here to watch the interview. (9:30 minute)