The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has clarified the incident that occurred during the presentation of the Nigeria Police Force 2025 budget to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Egbetokun mentioned that the disruption that erupted during the session was an “unnecessary drama that could have been avoided,” according to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Before the presentation, the police chief presented the committee members with two copies of the budget, both of which had the identical facts and data. However, the members unanimously decided that the IG should submit the abbreviated version because they all had access to both materials.
“The IGP described the disruption as unnecessary and avoidable, clarifying that the document he presented was shared with all committee members beforehand. The IGP explained that two versions of the budget documents were provided to the committee members: a comprehensive copy and an abridged version.
“While both contained the same figures and facts, the abridged version used simplified language to facilitate understanding. At the start of the session, the committee members unanimously agreed with a motion that the IGP should present the abridged version since they all had access to both documents.
“However, distinguished Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North), who arrived late, began referencing the comprehensive version while the IGP presented the abridged version. Despite explanations from other committee members about the earlier agreement and the consistency between both versions, the senator refused to listen and abruptly left the session.
“The IGP described the incident as unnecessary drama that could have been avoided had the senator been receptive to the clarifications provided. The IGP reiterates that the Nigeria Police Force did not submit two different 2025 budgetary proposal documents to the joint committees at the National Assembly, contrary to the reports circulating in the news and media outlets,” read the statement.
Egbetokun emphasised that the police face budget allocation challenges, including insufficient funding and delays in fund releases.
These challenges hinder the Force’s ability to address its expanding and dynamic responsibilities.
The IG urged the public to continue supporting the police to ensure professionalism and dedication.
