As part of its 2020 intervention budget, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund has handed over 200 Buffalo vehicles and other security equipment to the Nigeria Police Force to address the security challenges in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the establishment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund for training and re-training of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and provision of state of the art security equipment.
In 2020, the Senate of Nigeria approved 11bn for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) as Capital expenditure for the 2020 fiscal year.
The Executive Secretary of the Trust Fund, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, handed over the buffalo trucks, 1300 units of Personal Protective Gears (bulletproof vests), COVID-19 kit and medical equipment all estimated at eight billion, seven hundred and ninety million, three hundred and twenty-one thousand, three hundred and twenty-one naira (N8,790,321,497) to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba psc(+), NPM, fdc at the Force Headquarters Abuja on Thursday.
The Executive Secretary also assured that more equipment and facilities would be provided soon for the Force to enhance its operational capacity.
During the handover, IGP Baba asserted that the Nigeria Police Trust Fund is well-positioned to guarantee to the nation a well-equipped, well-trained, and well- motivated Police Force that would be prompt and responsive to security challenges.
“I am delighted to note that the items provided by the Trust Fund for the Nigeria Police Force were largely in line with requisite operational specifications and they have been tested and found to be of standards that will enhance effective and efficient policing. I assure the nation and the international community that with the launch of
these critical operational assets, our operational capacity shall be enhanced well enough to address current challenges of banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and sundry violent crimes that have been threatening our nation in recent times,” he said.
Representing President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, maintained that the establishment of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund is very timely and apt.
“It came at a time when the Government is determined more than ever before to holistically address the various security challenges confronting our great country, Nigeria,” he intoned.
According to him, achieving the overall objectives of the Trust Fund should be the collective aspiration of all Nigerians to bridge the funding gap in policing by providing the NPF with required operational tools, equipment, training and re-training of personnel as well as the motivation of Officers and men through improved welfare.
The Trust Fund currently depends substantially on the revenue accruing from the Federation Account for the implementation of its programmes and activities. With the dwindling state of national revenue, it is obvious that this source of revenue alone cannot sustain the Trust Fund in the attainment of its mandate of re-positioning the
Nigeria Police to change the internal security narratives of our beloved country, IGP Baba stated.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs urged the Inspector-General of Police and his Management Team to reciprocate the Government’s efforts through judicious and effective use of the facilities because the Government will not condone any act of abuse and mal-handling of the facilities provided from very limited resources.
Senate Approves N74.7bn Budget For Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF)
