The 2025 budget defence session for the Nigerian Police Force at the National Assembly joint Committee descended into chaos, forcing the Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North district, to storm out of the Joint Committee meeting, amidst jeers and boos from members of the House of Representatives.
The uproar began when the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alongside the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Hashimu Argungu, presented the Police Force budget details.
The IGP outlined the allocation of funds for construction of the 5 newly approved zonal Police headquarters in Anambra (Zone 13), Katsina (Zone 14), Maiduguri (Zone 15), Yenagoa (Zone 17), and Akure (Zone 17).
During the presentation, House of Representatives member, Mark Esset (Akwa Ibom) interrupted and questioned why the details being read by the IGP were not reflected in the documents provided to lawmakers.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi raised a similar concern, citing a Point of Order and insisting that the discrepancies will make it impossible for lawmakers to ask relevant questions.
He argued that the provided documents should align with the IGP’s presentation.
However, the Chairman of the Joint Committee overruled Nwebonyi’s objection, allowing the IGP to continue.
This prompted the Senator to leave the session angrily, shouting that “the right thing must be done.”
As he exited, some House of Representatives members jeered and booed him, leading to a brief exchange of words.
Reacting to the incident, House of Representative member, Yusuf Gagdi defended the Committee’s decision to let the IGP proceed with his presentation, explaining that parliamentary rules require lawmakers to wait for their turn to speak and not interject without permission.
When calm was restored, the IGP outlined critical budgetary needs for the Nigerian Police Force, emphasizing the need for enhanced funding to improve operational efficiency and security outcomes.
The IGP called for the removal of the Nigerian Police Force from the envelope budgeting system, which limits their funding flexibility, and requested adequate funding tailored to operational needs.
He sought approval for a dedicated account to enable swift responses to unforeseen security emergencies and ongoing operations.
The IGP advocated for higher allocations for both overhead and capital expenditures to improve the force’s capabilities.
He requested funding for specialized units, including the Intelligence Response Team, Special Forces, and Technical Intelligence Unit, to bolster their ability to address complex security challenges.
IGP Egbetokun proposed self-accounting budget lines for Police training institutions to support capacity building and long-term reforms.
He urged lawmakers to leverage their influence to ensure timely and complete release of funds appropriated in the 2025 budget.
The IGP revealed that the President had approved an increase in annual Police recruitment from 10,000 to 30,000 personnel, which would help address manpower shortages.
The Nigerian Police Force boss emphasized that the country’s security depends on a well-funded, operationally prepared, and modernized Police Force.
He credited the President’s intervention in 2024 for enabling the Police to secure special funding that allowed them to deliver on their mandate.
He concluded by urging lawmakers to prioritize the Force’s budgetary needs to achieve the shared goal of a safer Nigeria.
Editor: Ken Eseni
