The Senate Public Accounts Committee, on Tuesday, interrogated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the missing 178,459 firearms and allegations of N1.1bn contract splitting within the Nigeria Police Force.
During his appearance before the committee, Egbetokun apologised for not attending previous hearings, explaining that the demands of his office had hindered his participation. To ensure future compliance, Egbetokun introduced Assistant Inspector General of Police Abdul Sulaiman, in charge of Police Accounts, as his official representative before the committee.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) accepted Egbetokun’s apology on behalf of the committee, stating that his appearance reaffirmed that no one, regardless of position, is above the law.
The 2019 Auditor General’s report, presented to the Senate Committee by Samuel Godwin on behalf of Shaakaa Chira, highlighted that 178,459 firearms, predominantly AK-47 rifles, were missing from police formations across the country.
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“As of December 2018, a total of 178,459 firearms were unaccounted for, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles. Additionally, as of January 2020, at least 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols remained missing,” the report noted.
The Senate expressed deep concern that firearms meant for law enforcement could have been seized by criminals, exacerbating the nation’s security challenges.
Reacting to the report, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) linked the growing insecurity in Nigeria to the missing weapons, stressing that both citizens and the police were at risk.
“If this number of firearms is in the hands of enemies, we are not safe. Even the police themselves are not safe. These weapons were procured with taxpayers’ money, and Nigerians deserve to know what happened to them,” Nwebonyi said.
In response, AIG Sulaiman explained that some weapons were lost during robberies, while others were taken by criminals following attacks on police officers.
However, a review of police records by the committee revealed that of the 3,907 firearms officially listed as missing, only 15 cases involved officers who died or were injured while losing their weapons.
Under further questioning, AIG Sulaiman requested more time to provide a comprehensive report on the missing firearms.
“To me, no firearm is unaccounted for. We appeal to the committee for more time, and we will submit a full report,” he said.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), however, expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s response, insisting that the officers responsible for the loss of the firearms must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
