By Olumide Olusegun |
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has described the controversy that arose during the defense of the 2025 Nigeria Police Force budget as unnecessary and avoidable.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP addressed the incident that occurred during the budget presentation to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly in Abuja on January 16, 2025.
He explained that two versions of the budget documents were made available to the committee members: a comprehensive version and an abridged version, adding that both documents contained the same figures and facts, but the abridged version used simpler language to enhance understanding.
“At the beginning of the session, all members of the committee unanimously agreed that I should present the abridged version since everyone had access to both versions,” the IGP said.
However, when Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi of Ebonyi North arrived late, he began referencing the comprehensive version, while the IGP was presenting the abridged one.
Despite explanations from other committee members clarifying the earlier agreement and the consistency between both versions, Senator Nwoebonyi insisted on sticking to the comprehensive document and abruptly left the session.
IGP Egbetokun described the incident as “unnecessary drama” that could have been avoided if the senator had been open to the clarifications provided. He further emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force did not submit two separate budget documents, as some media outlets had suggested.
“The reports circulating that the Police Force submitted two different budget proposals are false. Both versions were identical in content, and the decision to present the abridged version was collectively agreed upon by all committee members,” he clarified.
The IGP also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force, including inadequate funding, the restrictive envelope budget system, and delays in fund releases, all of which continue to hinder the Force’s ability to modernize and effectively carry out its growing responsibilities.
“I urge the public to continue supporting the police as we remain committed to delivering excellent service with professionalism and dedication, despite the challenges we face,” IGP Egbetokun concluded.
