Concerns over missing firearms within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) resurfaced after a 2019 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation indicated that 178,459 firearms, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles, were unaccounted for across various police formations. Furthermore, the report claimed that as of January 2020, 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols were still unaccounted for.
These findings prompted the Senate Public Accounts Committee to summon the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to clarify the discrepancies. Lawmakers expressed fears that such a large number of firearms could have fallen into the hands of criminals, exacerbating Nigeria’s security challenges. The committee also emphasized the need for stringent inventory management to prevent further lapses.
Nigeria Police Clarify Audit Discrepancies
In response to the controversy, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement on Thursday refuting claims that the firearms were missing. He stressed that the audit report’s reference to 3,907 arms being “unaccounted for” did not mean they had vanished, but rather that records needed to be reconciled.
“The report appears to stem from an assessment of the 2019 audit, which likely reflects records compiled before the tenure of the current Inspector-General of Police. The report states that 3,907 arms were ‘unaccounted for,’ not ‘missing,’ as speculated in the news,” Adejobi explained.
He further clarified that police firearms are frequently assigned to officers for ongoing operations, meaning they may not always be present in the armouries when audits are conducted. This, he said, often leads to misinterpretations of the audit findings.
Impact of Civil Unrest and Police Efforts to Recover Arms
Adejobi also acknowledged that some police weapons were lost due to attacks on police formations, particularly during periods of civil unrest. He pointed out that during protests and violent uprisings, officers were targeted, and their firearms were taken by assailants.
“It is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by the police during periods of civil unrest, where several officers were killed and their arms carted away. However, every effort has been made to recover these arms, and many have already been accounted for,” he stated.
He reassured Nigerians that the Nigeria police are actively working to track and retrieve missing arms and have strengthened security measures to prevent future losses.
Senate Committee’s Response and Further Hearings
Despite the police’s clarifications, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts remained unsatisfied, insisting that the NPF must provide a more detailed explanation of the discrepancies. The committee noted that if the firearms were truly accounted for, there should be clear documentation reflecting this.
The lawmakers also raised concerns that the absence of proper records could indicate weaknesses in Nigeria police inventory management, potentially allowing arms to be diverted into the hands of criminal elements. To ensure transparency, the committee has scheduled further hearings on the audit for Monday, February 17, 2025, giving Nigeria the police time to reconcile their records.
Nigeria Police Warn Against Misinformation and Political Manipulation
In a concluding statement, Adejobi warned against misinformation aimed at discrediting the Nigeria Police Force. He described the reports as misleading and harmful to public confidence in law enforcement.
“The proliferation of misinformation, especially against institutions like the Nigeria Police, has far-reaching consequences, including compromising public safety, damaging reputations, and hindering the NPF’s ability to effectively maintain law and order,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, was not responsible for the reported discrepancies. “These queries related to the period that predated the administration of the current IGP. For emphasis, no such outrageous number of firearms is missing in the armouries of the NPF within the stated period,” he added.
As the Senate inquiry continues, Nigerians await a resolution to the controversy, hoping that a clearer picture will emerge regarding the true status of police firearms.
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