Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has urged the Senate to conduct its probe into the disappearance of 3,907 firearms behind closed doors, citing national security concerns.
According to The Cable, Egbetokun in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, acknowledged the lawmakers’ dedication to investigating the matter but stressed that public hearings could lead to misinformation and security risks.
“We appreciate the Senate committee’s efforts in investigating the alleged missing firearms. However, we urge that future hearings on sensitive security matters be held in camera to avoid creating a wrong impression among Nigerians and the international community,” the IGP stated.
He reassured lawmakers of the Nigeria Police Force’s (NPF) commitment to full cooperation, highlighting the need for collaboration with the National Assembly to strengthen national security.
Senate President Akpabio confirmed that investigations would proceed both internally within the police and externally through Senate oversight.
The controversy over the missing firearms stems from a 2019 Audit Report by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF), which revealed that, as of January 2020, the NPF could not account for 3,907 assault rifles.
During a Senate committee hearing, representatives from the Auditor General’s office presented the findings, prompting tough questioning from lawmakers. The police delegation, led by AIG Suleiman Abdul, struggled to provide satisfactory answers.
AIG Abdul requested a closed-door session, but the majority of committee members rejected the plea. Instead, the committee instructed the police team to refine their responses and return next Monday at noon, stressing that the matter would not be brushed aside.
