By Alexis Uchendu
The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), has launched an investigation into the disappearance of 178,459 firearms, mostly AK-47 rifles, from Nigeria Police Force formations across the country.
During a hearing on Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by AIG Abdul Sulaiman, faced intense questioning over findings from the Auditor General’s 2019 report, which revealed that the weapons went missing between 2000 and 2020.
SPAC acting chairman, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, expressed alarm, linking the missing arms to Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole demanded accountability, insisting that officers responsible be identified and prosecuted.
Despite police claims that some firearms were lost during attacks on officers, the committee found records showing only 15 officers were involved.
Dissatisfied with the explanations, lawmakers ordered the police to return on Monday with a full report.
