Junior Police Officers Allege Widespread Corruption, Extortion and Poor Welfare in Nigeria Police Force

07th August, 2026 | Nigeria | Security

Some junior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have alleged widespread corruption, extortion and poor welfare within the Force, accusing senior officers of exploiting rank-and-file personnel through the sale of transfers and postings, diversion of operational allowances and forcing officers to finance basic policing activities with their personal income.

The officers, who spoke anonymously for fear of victimisation, called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Minister of Police Affairs and the National Assembly Committees on Police to launch an independent investigation into the allegations and implement reforms to improve the welfare of junior personnel.

According to the officers, corruption has become deeply entrenched across police formations nationwide, with unofficial payments allegedly required before transfers, postings and other administrative requests receive approval.

They claimed that junior officers are often compelled to pay as much as ₦200,000 to secure transfers between divisions or state commands, while similar amounts are allegedly demanded for postings to operational beats or special assignments.

The officers further alleged that virtually every administrative request requiring approval from senior officers attracts unofficial payments.

One officer claimed that many personnel are forced to deplete their personal savings just to process routine requests within the Force, describing the practice as systemic corruption driven by senior leadership.

The officers also accused senior officials of diverting special duty and operational allowances intended for junior personnel. They alleged that funds approved for officers deployed on operations are either withheld or significantly reduced before reaching the beneficiaries.

According to them, complaints about the alleged diversion of allowances are often dismissed with the phrase, “Go and wait for your time,” which they described as a culture that normalises corruption and discourages junior officers from speaking out.

Fear of punitive transfers, disciplinary actions and other forms of victimisation, they said, has prevented many affected officers from publicly exposing the alleged misconduct.

Beyond allegations of corruption, the officers blamed inadequate government funding for worsening operational challenges across police commands.

They claimed that many patrol teams receive no fuel allocation for official vehicles, forcing officers to contribute personal funds to keep patrol vehicles running. According to them, this financial burden has contributed to cases of extortion by some officers attempting to raise money for operational expenses.

The officers further alleged that they routinely use their salaries to fund essential policing activities, including booking rifles and ammunition, repairing patrol vehicles and police barracks, sewing uniforms, purchasing office furniture and stationery, feeding suspects in detention and even paying medical expenses for injured colleagues.

They urged the Federal Government and relevant oversight agencies to introduce comprehensive reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and the welfare of police personnel.

Among their recommendations are an end to the alleged sale of transfers and postings, direct payment of operational allowances to officers, improved funding and logistics for police operations, and stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent the exploitation of junior officers.

According to the officers, meaningful reform of the Nigeria Police Force must begin with tackling corruption and abuse of authority at the highest levels of leadership.