Reps orders probe of 182,355 missing firearms from police armory

The House of Representatives has resolved to launch an investigation into the frequent loss of firearms and ammunition from the Nigeria Police Force armament.

It also directed its committees on Police affairs, National Security, and Intelligence, to investigate the failure of the Police Force to comply with the Financial Regulations Act.

The resolution is the sequel to the adoption of a motion titled; “Need to Investigate the Incessant Loss of Firearms and Ammunition in the Nigerian Police Armament from 2012 – 2022″ sponsored by Rep. Salman Idris (APC, Kogi).

Recall that in 2022, the House also launched an investigation into missing firearms.

In his debate, REp, Idrsi recalled that in 2018, the Auditor General for the Federation (OAGF) reported the loss of 178,459 ammunition from Nigeria’s Police Armament in 2018.

Salman informed that there are also 3,907 assorted rifles unaccounted for as of January 2020 without any trace or formal report.

Idris, who attributed the underperformance of the police to the constant loss of firearms and ammunition in the force, emphasised that the persistent loss of firearms requires urgent legislative intervention to ensure safety.

“Nigeria Police has lost sufficient firearms belonging to arm four full-size infantry divisions which were not reported, thus, violating paragraph 2603 of the Financial Regulations, 2009, which requires officers to report store losses to the head of department or unit within three days if the loss occurs away from headquarters.

“Report has it that Nigeria hosts over 70% of the illicit arms in West Africa. A UK-based Conflict Armament Research carried out in January 2020, reported that most of the weapons recovered from bandits in some States belonged to Nigeria’s security forces.

“It is horrifying to think that the guns and bullets deployed by terrorists, armed robbers, and thugs against Nigerians may have been stolen weapons from the armory that were bought with taxpayers’ money,” he said.

In adopting the motion, the House directed its Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Police Affairs, and the Committee on Public Account to investigate the persistent firearm loss from police custody.

The committees are also to recommend appropriate punitive measures.