Senate Queries Police Over 3,907 Missing Firearms, Demands Accountability

Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun 

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has raised alarm over the disappearance of 3,907 rifles and pistols from various police formations across the country in 2020, further revisiting the 178,459 missing firearms—including 88,078 AK-47 rifles—reported in the 2019 Auditor-General's Report.

The concerns were addressed on Tuesday when Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun appeared before the committee, represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Sulaiman Abdul.

Senators Demand Accountability

The committee questioned how such a large number of firearms could go missing without a proper tracking system, expressing fears that these weapons may have fallen into the hands of criminals, fueling insecurity in the country.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), who also chairs the Senate Committee on Interior, pressed for clear explanations, rejecting the police’s attempt to withhold information under the guise of security concerns.

“You should be very worried that about 4,000 arms, some of which could have been used by criminals, are missing. But as we speak, you don’t know who is responsible,” Oshiomhole stated.

He insisted that the police must track the missing arms and bring those responsible to justice, questioning the force’s selective approach to accountability.

“When you arrest people who stole rats and rabbits, you parade them. But if a police officer is responsible for missing arms, you have an obligation not only to disclose but to apprehend and arraign them. This country must operate under the same rule of law.”

Allegations of Police Officers Selling Arms to Criminals

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) raised serious allegations, suggesting that some police officers tasked with securing armouries were instead selling arms to criminals.

“The police should track the loss of these arms and investigate thoroughly because it is no longer news that some officers in charge of armouries have been caught selling weapons to criminals,” he stated.

Umeh criticized the lack of proactive action by the police in addressing these security breaches, emphasizing that those responsible must be identified and held accountable.

Committee Demands More Transparency

When pressed for detailed responses, AIG Abdul requested a closed-door session, but the senators insisted on transparency and a comprehensive public explanation.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North), who chaired the session, ruled that the police chief must reappear before the committee with a more detailed report.

“This committee is not satisfied with the explanations on these missing rifles. While we pray for God to accept the souls of our officers who died in the line of duty when these rifles were taken, we expect the IGP’s office to appear before us again on Monday by 12 noon,” Nwebonyi declared.

The ongoing probe into the missing firearms underscores the growing concerns over Nigeria’s security situation and the need for urgent reforms within the police force to prevent further breaches.