The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed recent reports alleging that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armories, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF clarified that the figures originated from a 2019 audit assessment conducted before the tenure of the current Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Adejobi explained that the reported number of missing firearms is a misrepresentation, as many of the weapons had been issued to officers for operational duties and were subsequently recovered.
“The AuGF report does not state that 3,907 firearms were missing, but rather that they were unaccounted for at the time of the audit. This means auditors could not physically verify all arms, as some were deployed for operations,” the statement read.
The police highlighted that law enforcement agencies often face logistical challenges, especially during civil unrest, where officers are sometimes attacked and arms looted. However, it emphasized that significant efforts have been made to recover such weapons.
Addressing concerns raised by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, the NPF confirmed that the hearing on the matter has been rescheduled to Monday, February 17, 2025, for further review.
The statement further clarified that IGP Egbetokun had briefly appeared before the committee to explain his prior absence before being excused, while the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Police Accounts and Budget remained to respond to inquiries.
The NPF also expressed concerns over the growing trend of misinformation aimed at discrediting law enforcement agencies, urging the public to seek accurate information before making judgments.
