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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed reports suggesting that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armouries, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Force Headquarters acknowledged the security challenges faced during periods of civil unrest, including the killing of officers, attacks on police facilities, and the looting of weapons.
However, it emphasized that substantial efforts have been made to recover and account for any lost arms.
Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi clarified that many of the allegedly missing weapons have already been retrieved and returned to police armouries.
“The Nigeria Police Force is surprised and deeply concerned about recent reports alleging that 3,907 arms are missing.
These claims are incorrect and misleading,” Part of the statement read.
According to the police, the allegations originate from a review of a 2019 report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), which documented unaccounted-for firearms, not necessarily missing ones.
The statement explained that auditors conducting routine inspections might not always find all weapons in armouries due to their deployment for operational purposes.
Additionally, the police highlighted their internal auditing measures, which ensure proper accountability and controlled movement of firearms.
The Force reiterated that no significant number of weapons has gone missing beyond those documented and managed appropriately.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which is reviewing the audit report, has postponed its hearing to February 17, 2025, allowing time for a thorough review of records.
The NPF also clarified that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was not present when senators raised concerns about the alleged missing firearms.
Instead, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Accounts and Budget handled the committee’s queries.
The police further warned against misinformation, stating that false reports could undermine public confidence in law enforcement and compromise national security.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and maintaining public safety.