Alleged Missing Arms; NPF clears air over allegation of unaccounted 3907 firearms.

The Nigeria Police Force expresses surprise and deep concerns regarding recent news alleging that 3,907 arms are missing from the Nigeria Police Force. These allegations are misleading and inaccurate. This position was made public through a Press Statement released by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to Newsmen.

The statement reads; “The Force wishes to clarify that this report appears to stem from an assessment of the report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF dating back to 2019, likely reflecting records compiled prior to the current Inspector-General of Police’s tenure. In the report”, according to Issue 3b, Sub (iii), it is stated that 3907 arms were unaccounted for and not “missing” as speculated by the news”.

“It is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by the police during periods of civil unrest, during which several Police Officers were killed and their arms carted away, and some attacks and looting of police facilities and armories, resulting in the loss of arms. However, every effort has been made to account for the arms that were taken, while many have been recovered back to the arms holding of the force at the moment”.

“We also note that when auditors conduct visits to our armories, they may not find all arms present at the time due to the issuance of weapons to personnel for operational purposes, many spanning to months depending on the nature of such operations. Consequently, this may lead to misconceptions regarding the accuracy of audit reports”.

“Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force has a statutory and annual internal auditing process in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Police Regulations, administrative instructions and standard operating procedures (SOP) which include stringent measures to ensure controlled movement and proper accountability of arms. Throughout our audits, there has been no outrageous record of unaccounted or missing arms, as speculated in the 2019 report of the AuGF, despite some incidences that have been documented and managed”.

“The Force has earlier defended the audit queries, which had hoped to help in reconciling the discrepancies in the reports. However, the hearing session presided over by the Senate Committee on Public Account has been postponed to Monday, 17th of February 2025, giving ample time for a proper cross analysis of records”.

“Contrary to the make-believe and misleading reportage by some media houses, the IGP was not present when the senators were raising questions on the purported “missing” firearms. The IGP appeared briefly before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday 11/02/25. He was asked to take the usual oath and explain why he did not honour previous invitations by the committee. The IGP responded to the satisfaction of the commitee members and was thereafter excused to take his leave while the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, stayed back to answer the queries of the committee. These queries related to the period that predated the administration of the current IGP. For emphasis sake, no such outrageous number of firearms is missing in the armouries of the NPF within the stated period”.

“Managing mischief and the spread of misinformation against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been a significant challenge in recent times. The NPF has, in recent times, made notable strides in stabilizing the internal security space, but malicious actors seek to undermine these efforts by striving to erode public confidence in the police through the spread of malicious contents”

“It is important to note that the proliferation of misinformation, especially against institutions like the Nigeria Police have far-reaching consequences, including compromising public safety, damaging reputations, and hindering the NPF’s ability to effectively maintain law and order. However, the NPF remains committed to maintaining transparency and public trust and will continue to uphold the security of the nation while honouring the duty to account for all operational materials entrusted to us”.

How Police Inspector dressed in uniform was allegedly kidnapped by two Suspects

Two persons have been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital for allegedly abducting a police inspector.

It was gathered that the defendants include one Lekan Osansan and Olubodun Oladimeji allegedly abducted Inspector Michael Aromeh in uniform alongside others before taking him to an unknown destination.

It however took a team of policemen before Inspector Michael Aromeh could be rescued.

Police Prosecutor, Martins Olowofeso, preferred three-count charge against the suspects.

The counts read: “That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji “M’ on the 12th day of January in Akure Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to wit kidnapping of Inspector Aromeh Michael on the uniform from NTA junction to unknown destination and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the criminal code cap 37 voll laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did kidnap Inspector Aromeh Michael to an unknown destination and were rescued by Asp yahaya Ondeku and five others and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 364 the criminal code cap 37 vol [1] laws of Ondo State Nigeria 2006.
“That you Lekan Osansan ‘M’ and Olubodun Oladimeji on the same date, time, and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by kidnaping Inspector Aromeh Michael to an unknown destination without his consent and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable Under Section 249 (D) of Criminal Code Cap37 Volume [1] Laws of Ondo State Nigeria 2006.”

The Police Prosecutor prayed the court to grant the suspects bail on stringent conditions.

In his ruling, the Chief Magistrate R.A Olumilua granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N1million and two sureties in like sum.

One of the sureties is required to be a Level 14 officer in the state civil service and the other who must be a clergyman or a recognised Chief.

Wanted notorious Bandit leader, barking like Dog, dies after mysterious illness

Kachalla Dan Lukuti, the infamous bandit leader responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Zamfara and Katsina states, has reportedly died under bizarre and unsettling circumstances.

Known for his brutal reign of terror, Lukuti’s final days were marked by unusual symptoms, including violent aggression and an eerie, continuous barking that some likened to the sounds of a rabid dog.

Sources close to his activities revealed that Lukuti began showing signs of a mysterious illness about a week ago, with his condition rapidly deteriorating.

His gang members, frightened by the strange nature of his symptoms, reportedly kept their distance, unable to assist their leader. Despite their attempts to flee his deteriorating state, Lukuti eventually succumbed to the illness.

Lukuti had been a terror in the Kokonba forest of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara, where he led a group of over 50 armed bandits.

His group was behind a series of violent attacks in villages such as Dan Jiloga, Rijiya, Zonai, Magami, and along the Gusau-Magami highway, even spreading his criminal activities into the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Despite his ruthless operations, Lukuti’s final days were marked by agony. Witnesses reported that he howled and barked in pain, a strange and terrifying end for the notorious bandit leader.

Out of fear and superstition, his gang coerced villagers in the community of Kizara to bury him, interring his body at a local primary school.

The cause of his death remains a mystery, with theories ranging from rabies to spiritual retribution for his years of violence and terror.

His passing comes amid heightened military operations targeting bandit strongholds in the Northwest, raising questions about whether Lukuti’s death signals the beginning of the end for his criminal network.