By: Bayero Ade
The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) on Tuesday interrogated the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the disappearance of 178,459 firearms and allegations of N1.1 billion contract splitting within the Nigeria Police Force.
According to Top newspaper Egbetokun, appearing before the committee for the first time, apologized for missing previous invitations, citing his demanding schedule. To ensure proper representation, he introduced Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Abdul Sulaiman, who oversees police accounts, as his designated representative before the committee.
His apology was accepted by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who emphasized that the IGP’s presence reinforced the principle that no one is above the law.
The 2019 Auditor General’s report, presented to the committee by Samuel Godwin on behalf of Shaakaa Chira, revealed that as of December 2018, 178,459 firearms—mostly AK-47 rifles—were missing from police formations nationwide.
The report further disclosed that as of January 2020, an additional 3,907 assorted rifles and pistols remained unaccounted for.
Expressing concern over the security implications, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) warned that missing police firearms could be fueling crime and insecurity across the country.
“If this number of firearms is in the hands of criminals, neither the police nor civilians are safe. These weapons were procured with taxpayers’ money, and Nigerians deserve to know what happened to them,” he stated.
Representing the IGP, AIG Sulaiman explained that some of the firearms were lost during attacks on police officers, while others were seized by criminals.
However, a review of police records by the committee showed that only 15 out of the 3,907 officially listed missing firearms were linked to officers who either died or sustained injuries while losing their weapons.
Under intense questioning, AIG Sulaiman requested additional time to compile and submit a comprehensive report on the matter.
“To me, no firearm is unaccounted for. We appeal to the committee for more time, and we will submit a full report,” he said.
His response did not sit well with Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who insisted that those responsible must be held accountable.
“The least we expect is for the police to identify the officers responsible. They should be arrested and paraded—just as the police do with ordinary Nigerians. There should be no double standards,” Oshiomhole stated.
“These arms were meant to protect Nigerians, yet they have ended up in unknown hands. The police must account for them, and those responsible must face justice. This issue will not be swept under the rug,” he added.
Contract Splitting Allegations
Beyond the missing firearms, the committee also questioned the police over eight audit queries, including an allegation of N1.1 billion in contract splitting, which violates Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act.
The police were directed to provide detailed explanations regarding the flagged irregular contract awards in the Auditor General’s report.
The Senate has mandated the IGP to reappear before the committee on Monday, February 17, 2025, with a detailed report on both the missing firearms and the alleged contract irregularities.
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