Police dismiss reports of 3,907 missing firearms as misleading

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted reports alleging that 3,907 firearms are missing from its inventory, calling the claims misleading and inaccurate.

In a statement signed by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the NPF clarified that the reports appear to stem from a 2019 audit assessment by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF).

The Force explained that the audit report merely noted that 3,907 firearms were “unaccounted for” at the time, not “missing” as widely reported.

The statement acknowledged the challenges the police face, particularly during periods of civil unrest when officers have been attacked, killed, and their weapons stolen.

However, the NPF stressed that significant efforts have been made to recover lost arms, with many already retrieved and accounted for in the Force’s current inventory.

The police also pointed out that auditors visiting armories may not always find all weapons physically present, as firearms are routinely issued to personnel for operational duties that can last for extended periods.

This, they said, often leads to misinterpretations regarding the status of the weapons.

Read also: Senate grills Egbetokun over 3,907 missing police assault rifles

Furthermore, the NPF emphasized that it follows strict internal auditing procedures, in line with police regulations and standard operating procedures, to ensure accountability in arms management.

The Force insisted that no “outrageous” number of firearms has ever been reported missing, contrary to claims in the media.

The statement also addressed the ongoing Senate Committee on Public Accounts hearing on the matter, which has been postponed to February 17, 2025.

It noted that while Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun briefly appeared before the committee on February 11, he was not present when the alleged missing firearms were discussed.

Instead, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Accounts and Budget responded to queries concerning a period before the current IGP’s tenure.

The NPF further condemned what it described as an ongoing campaign of misinformation aimed at eroding public confidence in the police.

It warned that spreading falsehoods about security institutions could have serious consequences, including undermining public safety and damaging institutional credibility.

Despite these challenges, the police reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, public trust, and their duty to secure the nation while ensuring proper accountability of all operational assets.