Reports referenced earlier findings that, as of December 2018, a staggering 178,459 firearms had gone missing, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles.
A recent investigation by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) has revealed that 3,907 firearms, including a significant number of AK-47 rifles, are missing from police commands and formations across Nigeria. The discovery was made following an audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Nigeria Police Force has a Department of Research and Planning tasked with inspecting police divisions, formations, and sections to ensure operational efficiency. However, the audit findings suggest that these inspections may have been inadequate, failing to detect the large-scale disappearance of firearms.
During its review, the Senate committee, chaired by Deputy Chairman Sen. Peter Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North), dismissed an audit query concerning a ₦1.136 billion contract-splitting allegation and stood down a query which borders on alleged non-execution of N925million contract. However, it upheld the third and most alarming query concerning the disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles.
Breakdown of missing firearms
According to the Auditor-General’s representative, as of January 2020, a total of 3,907 rifles, including AK-47s and other assault weapons, were unaccounted for across various police formations. The audit report indicated that:
•601 firearms were missing from 15 police training institutions.
•42 firearms were unaccounted for in 23 police formations.
•1,514 firearms were missing from 37 state police commands.
•29 firearms were unaccounted for in police zones 1 to 12.
•1,721 firearms were lost within the Police Mobile Force (PMF) units 1 to 68.
The report also referenced earlier findings that, as of December 2018, a staggering 178,459 firearms had gone missing, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles.
Committee confronts police representatives
The revelations prompted intense questioning from committee members, who demanded explanations from the police delegation, led by Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Suleiman Abdul. However, the police representatives failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the missing firearms.
Faced with mounting pressure, AIG Abdul requested a closed-door session to discuss the issue privately. This request was immediately rejected by committee members, including Sen. Nwebonyi, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, and Sen. Joel Onawakpo, who insisted on transparency.
Sen. Nwebonyi emphasised that the Public Accounts Committee operates in full public view and would not allow any secrecy, stating that in other democratic nations like the United States, such proceedings are broadcast live.
“This is a public accounts committee that has no room for closed door session. In united states of America, proceedings of Public Accounts Committee are televised live. So whatever response the AIG wants to make on the missing assault rifles, should be done in the full glare of all, particularly the journalists,” he said.
On his part, Oshiomhole also criticised the police’s handling of the matter, pointing out that while they are quick to arrest petty criminals, they had failed to adequately investigate the disappearance of thousands of deadly weapons.
“The Police is known for arresting and parading thieves of rats and rabbits which is expected of them on the missing assault rifles.
“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,” he stressed.
In his response, AIG Abdul could only account for 15 out of the 3,907 missing firearms. He explained that 14 were lost when officers were killed in active service, while one rifle had been missing since 1998. This response further infuriated the committee members, who found the explanation grossly inadequate.
Committee issues ultimatum
Determined not to let the matter be ignored, the committee directed AIG Abdul and his team to properly compile a detailed response. They were instructed to reappear before the Senate next Monday at 12:00 pm to provide a comprehensive explanation. In the meantime, the committee suspended the review of five other pending audit queries until the police provide a satisfactory report on the missing firearms.
