The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed allegations from the 2019 audit report by the Auditor-General for the Federation, which claimed that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) could not account for 3,907 rifles.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which was read on the Senate floor, Egbetokun described the report as false, inaccurate, and misleading. He also urged that sensitive investigations involving national security be conducted behind closed doors to prevent unnecessary public panic.
Senate Queries Police Over Missing Weapons
On Tuesday, the Senate Public Accounts Committee questioned police officials over the alleged missing firearms. However, the IGP, who was present at the hearing, left early to attend to other official duties. The session was presided over by Senate Deputy Whip Onyechachi Nwoebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) in the absence of Committee Chairman Senator Aliyu Wadada.
In his letter, Egbetokun criticized the report’s credibility, stating that its findings were based on faulty data. He also expressed disappointment with the way the issue was handled, particularly the international attention it had attracted.
Senate to Investigate Further
Responding to the IGP’s concerns, Senate President Akpabio assured that the upper legislative chamber would probe the matter further, ensuring that both the Auditor-General’s report and the Police’s position are thoroughly examined.
The controversy over the allegedly unaccounted rifles has sparked debates about accountability and security management within the police force, with many Nigerians awaiting the outcome of the Senate’s findings.
