THE Senate has approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund to strengthen policing and support the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other security challenges across the country for two consecutive years.
The upper chamber approved ₦170.1 billion for the Police Trust Fund’s 2025 fiscal year, as well as ₦233 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
The approved 2026 budget covers personnel costs, capital projects, and overhead expenditures aimed at enhancing the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Lawmakers expressed optimism that the funding will improve the provision of critical equipment, infrastructure, training and other resources needed to bolster security operations and address the country’s growing security concerns.
The move comes amid a rising spate of crime across Nigeria, with citizens calling for authorities to tighten security in the nation.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a legislative proposal to the Senate seeking to reform the country’s criminal justice system through the repeal and reenactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and replace it with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s criminal justice framework.
A key provision of the bill is the establishment of a criminal justice monitoring council to oversee the implementation of the law in courts within the FCT and other federal courts across the country.
In a communication to the Senate during plenary, President Tinubu said the proposed legislation is designed to address procedural gaps and long-standing challenges that have hindered the speedy dispensation of justice.
According to the President, the bill also seeks to align Nigeria’s criminal justice system with emerging developments by promoting the use of technology, introducing innovative measures and enhancing the effective implementation of the law by relevant institutions.
The proposed legislation is to undergo legislative consideration by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.
