The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted claims that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armouries, dismissing the allegations as misleading and inaccurate.
The statement was issued on Thursday by the Force Headquarters, clarifying that efforts have been made to account for lost weapons, many of which have already been recovered.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the controversy stems from an assessment of a report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF) dating back to 2019.
The police emphasised that the report in question reflects records compiled before the tenure of the current Inspector-General of Police.
Police Response to Allegations
In its official statement, the NPF expressed concerns over what it described as an inaccurate portrayal of its inventory management.
The Force clarified that the reported figure was not a reference to “missing” weapons but rather arms that were “unaccounted for” due to the dynamic nature of police operations and record-keeping processes.
“The Nigeria Police Force expresses surprise and deep concerns regarding recent news alleging that 3,907 arms are missing from the Nigeria Police Force. These allegations are misleading and inaccurate,” the statement read.
The police highlighted that challenges such as civil unrest have contributed to difficulties in maintaining precise records.
During periods of unrest, several police officers were killed, and their weapons were stolen. Additionally, attacks on police armouries and facilities have resulted in arms being looted.
Efforts to Recover Lost Weapons
The NPF stressed that it has been proactive in tracing and recovering weapons that were taken. ACP Adejobi affirmed that a substantial number of arms have been retrieved and returned to the police force’s armouries.
“Every effort has been made to account for the arms that were taken, and many have already been recovered back to the arms holding of the force at the moment,” Adejobi stated.
The statement further explained that the auditing process itself may lead to misconceptions. Police armouries frequently undergo inspections, but not all weapons may be physically present at the time of an audit.
This is due to the issuance of firearms to officers for various ongoing operations, some of which may last for months.
Misinterpretation of Audit Findings
The Force Headquarters indicated that misinterpretations often arise when audit teams visit police armouries and do not find all firearms accounted for at that exact moment.
This does not necessarily mean the arms are missing, but rather that they have been assigned for operational duties.
“When auditors conduct visits to our armories, they may not find all arms present at the time due to the issuance of weapons to personnel for operational purposes, many spanning to months depending on the nature of such operations. Consequently, this may lead to misconceptions regarding the accuracy of audit reports,” the statement elaborated.
Commitment to Transparency and Accountability
The police assured the public that it remains committed to transparency and accountability in its handling of arms and ammunition. The Force urged the media to verify facts before disseminating information that could cause public distrust.
The NPF reiterated its dedication to maintaining national security while ensuring that all operational firearms are properly accounted for in due course.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
