Senate panel asks police to account for ‘missing’ 3,907 firearms

The senate committee on public account has queried the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the alleged missing of 3,907 rifles from its armoury.

The missing firearms are contained in the 2019 audit report of the office of the auditor-general of the federation (AuGF).

During the committee’s sitting on Tuesday, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), nominated Suleiman Abdul, an assistant inspector-general (AIG), to field questions from the senators about the report of the missing firearms.

Subsequently, the senators asked the police to account for the missing firearms and other issues raised in the AuGF report.

However, the explanation offered by the police representative was not satisfactory to the senators.

Consequently, Abdul sought an executive session, which was rejected by the majority of the lawmakers.

Peter Nwaebonyi, deputy chairman of the committee, said the sitting would not be held behind closed doors.

“This is a public accounts committee that has no room for closed-door sessions. In the United States of America, proceedings of the public accounts committee are televised live,” the lawmaker said.

“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.”

Also speaking, Adams Oshiomhole, the senator representing Edo north, said the police are known for arresting and parading suspects in public and should also account for the missing firearms.

“The AIG should let Nigerians know the 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,” Oshiomhole said.

Following hours of debate, the committee asked the police leadership to reappear on Monday for the continuation of the probe.