The Nigerian Senate has intensified its scrutiny of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, following alarming revelations from the 2019 Auditor-General’s report indicating that 3,907 assault rifles and pistols are unaccounted for within various police formations across the country.
Senate Committee’s Inquisition
During a recent session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, IGP Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Suleiman Abdul, faced rigorous questioning regarding the missing firearms. The committee, chaired by Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North), expressed profound concern over the potential security implications of such a significant loss of weaponry.
Audit Report Findings
The Auditor-General’s report highlighted that as of January 2020, a total of 3,907 firearms, including assault rifles and pistols, were missing from police inventories. A breakdown of the missing weapons revealed:
- 601 firearms unaccounted for from 15 training institutions.
- 42 from 23 police formations.
- 1,514 from 37 police commands.
- 29 from zonal commands.
- 1,721 from Police Mobile Force units 1 to 68.
These discrepancies have raised concerns about the potential for these weapons to fall into the hands of unauthorized individuals, thereby exacerbating the nation’s security challenges.
Senate’s Concerns and Demands
Senators voiced their alarm over the missing firearms, emphasizing the dire consequences for national security. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) stressed the need for accountability, stating, “The AIG should let Nigerians know steps that had been taken by the Police on the missing assault rifles over the years, who and who were involved and level of recovery made.”
The committee rejected a request for a closed-door session by AIG Abdul, insisting on transparency in addressing the issue. Senator Nwaebonyi affirmed, “No closed-door session would be allowed under him.”
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
In response to the audit queries, AIG Abdul acknowledged the discrepancies and requested additional time to conduct a thorough investigation and provide a comprehensive report to the committee. He assured the senators of the police force’s commitment to accountability and transparency in resolving the matter.
Public Outcry and Social Media Reactions
The revelations have sparked significant public concern, with citizens expressing their apprehensions on various social media platforms. On X (formerly Twitter), users have called for swift action and greater oversight to prevent such occurrences in the future. Facebook discussions have highlighted fears about the potential use of these missing firearms in criminal activities, further endangering public safety.
Looking Ahead
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has mandated the police leadership to expedite their internal investigations and report back with detailed findings and corrective measures. The committee emphasized the urgency of the matter, given its implications for national security and public trust in law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation unfolds, the Nigerian public and international observers await concrete actions to address the lapses and ensure that such critical security breaches are prevented in the future.
