07/12/2024
NPTF reacts to FAAC funding suit
By Mansur Aramide, Ilorin
06 December 2024 | 10:40 am
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has lamented that the ongoing court case challenging its operational funding with the 0.5 per cent derivation from the Federal Allocation is greatly stalling its optimal performance.
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The executive secretary of the fund, Mr. Mohammed Sheidu, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin, in his opening remarks at the ongoing two-day NPTF management retreat coordinated by the office of the Permanent Secretary, Political Cabinet and Special Services, Mrs. Oluyomi Esther, Kwara State Government House.
He said though training and retraining of police officers and men are the cardinal concern of the fund, the court case has in no small way affected the rapid realization of that.
Sheidu, who spoke on the theme “Building a Secured Nigeria through Nigeria Police Trust Fund Intervention for Nigeria Police Force,” said that the Trust Fund has trained over 10,000 police officers and men since its inception in 2019.
“We have trained over 10,000 police officers so far since inception in 2019,” he said, adding: “What we have done in 100 days of me being in office is train 1,300 and we plan to increase that.”
On the major challenge confronting the Trust Fund, Sheidu said unless a brazen alternative to the 0.5 per cent FAAC allocation currently being challenged in court is discovered, the cardinal reasons for the setting up of the fund may be unrealistic.
He said: “Our major challenge is funding as we all know there is a court case challenging the 0.5 per cent FAAC allocation and so one of the major issues we have is resources and that has to do with funding.”
Lamenting the effect of the court case on the activities of the NPTF, the fund described the training and retraining of police as a key consideration, saying: “Training and retraining is very key, it is all about how to strengthen Nigeria Police Force.”
“It is one of the main NPTF aims to enhance the capacity and capability of the men and officers. With this, training institutions will have to be regraded and upgraded based on what we are looking at presently in the country,” he disclosed.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant (Security), Muhideen Aliyu, the governor, who hinted at his awareness of the NPTF’s primary source of the 0.5 per cent from the total revenue accruing to the federation account, lamented that the state has not enjoyed many benefits from the NPTF.
“Therefore, I request the intervention of the NPTF to consider the rehabilitation of police training schools, Ilorin; upgrading the training facilities to enhance the capacity of police personnel.”
“Rehabilitation of the Police Command Headquarters and some selected Divisional Police Offices: improving the working conditions and operational efficiency of the police,” he listed.
According to him, construction of living facilities, like decent accommodation for police personnel (to boost their morale and productivity), provision of operational vehicles to enhance their response to security challenges, and the construction of additional Police Divisions across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State.
He also urged the Fund to patronize Kwara Garment Factory for the production of police uniforms, “with the support of the NPTF, we believe we can enhance the capacity of the police to respond to emerging security challenges, promote community policing, and improve the overall security architecture in Kwara State,” he hoped.
Speaking earlier, the Kwara State Police Commissioner (CP), Victor Olaiya, who applauded the disposition of the fund and its management, wondered where the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would have been without the fund.
Olaiya also wanted more armour vests (bulletproofs) for policemen in Nigeria.
He recalled the faulty operational activities of the NPF before the birth of NPTF, admitting that it was “hectic, too demanding and unwished for.”
He, however, urged for two Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) from the fund for his command and more walkie-talkies for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the only one in the state is situated in Offa following the 2018 infamous bank robbery in which 28 people died.
Olaiya, in his goodwill message, disclosed that the two APCs being sought will be in the command and the Mobile Police base.
He, however, rallied support for the Fund for its contribution to the improvement of the Police, which he said aided community policing.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who regarded the event as an opportunity to showcase his government’s commitment to security, having provided operational facilities including vehicles and other logistics, also spoke.
In his welcome address, the NPTF’s Director-Planning, Research, and Strategy department, Mr. Dashe Salman, said the event was a stock-taking and refocusing of the Fund.
“It’s a chance to think about where the NPTF has been, where we are now, and where we dream of going.”
“Our work goes beyond simply delivering projects. It’s about changing lives. It’s about building a stronger police force and ensuring our communities feel the real impact of what we do. This isn’t a small task—it’s monumental. But so is our ability to create lasting change,” he explained.
He urged participants at the first-ever NPTF retreat to “Reflect honestly on the past work; think creatively and reimagine how the Fund delivered, monitored, and evaluated its initiatives.
“Let’s push ourselves to find strategies that are not just efficient but transformative, let’s strengthen the trust and collaboration we share,” he urged.
