Badamasi Bello, Jadetimes Staff
B. Bello is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Nigerian News
Abuja, Nigeria – The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has grilled the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Public Accounts and Budget, Suleiman Abdul, over the alarming disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles from police armories. The interrogation followed revelations in the 2019 Audit Report presented by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), which uncovered significant financial and operational irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force.
The session, presided by the committee’s deputy chairman, Senator Peter Nwaebonyi, saw the police chiefs face tough questions regarding the missing firearms, many of which were identified as AK-47 rifles. The committee vowed not to sweep the matter under the carpet, demanding a detailed explanation and accountability from the police leadership.
IGP Apologizes for Previous Absences
IGP Egbetokun began the session by apologizing to the senators for failing to honor previous invitations to address queries raised in the 2019 audit report. “I sincerely apologize for not appearing before this committee earlier. I assure you of our commitment to transparency and accountability,” Egbetokun stated. He then delegated AIG Suleiman Abdul to respond to the eight queries issued by the Auditor-General’s office.
Key Queries and Committee Decisions
The committee addressed several issues raised in the audit report, including:
1. Query One – N1.136 Billion Contract Splitting: The committee vacated this query after receiving satisfactory explanations from the police representatives.
2. Query Two – Alleged Non-Execution of N925 Million Contract: This query was stood down for further investigation.
3. Query Three – Missing 3,907 Assault Rifles: The committee sustained this query, demanding a thorough explanation from the police leadership.
Revelations on Missing Firearms
The representative of the Auditor-General revealed that, as of January 2020, a total of 3,907 assault rifles and pistols were unaccounted for across various police formations. This was in addition to the 178,459 firearms reported missing as of December 2018, of which 88,078 were AK-47 rifles. “Based on thorough auditing, 3,907 assault rifles and pistols could not be accounted for as of January 2020,” the Auditor-General’s representative stated.
Police Response Falls Short
In their response, neither AIG Suleiman Abdul nor his team could provide convincing explanations for the missing firearms. Abdul requested a closed-door session with the committee, but this was rejected by the senators, who insisted on transparency. Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, emphasized the need for accountability. “The AIG should let Nigerians know the steps taken by the police to address the missing assault rifles, who was involved, and the level of recovery made,” Oshiomhole said.
AIG Abdul managed to account for only 15 of the missing rifles, stating that 14 were lost to personnel killed in active service and one was lost in 1998. This response was deemed inadequate by the committee, which demanded a more comprehensive report.
Committee’s Resolution
The committee resolved that the police team should return with a detailed and well-documented response to the query. They are scheduled to reappear before the committee on Monday next week. Senator Nwaebonyi reiterated the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability. “We will not sweep this matter under the carpet. The police must provide a satisfactory explanation for the missing firearms,” he said.
Implications for National Security
The disappearance of thousands of assault rifles raises serious concerns about national security, particularly in a country grappling with insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violent crime. The missing firearms could potentially end up in the hands of criminal elements, exacerbating the security challenges facing Nigeria.
Calls for Reform
The incident has sparked calls for comprehensive reforms within the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in the management of its armories and procurement processes. Stakeholders have urged the federal government to prioritize transparency and accountability in the police force to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of citizens.
What’s Next?
As the police leadership prepares to reappear before the Senate committee, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how the matter is resolved. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the Nigeria Police Force and its efforts to combat crime and maintain public safety.
For now, the Senate’s insistence on accountability sends a strong message to public institutions: transparency is non-negotiable, and those entrusted with public resources must be held to the highest standards of integrity.
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