News
Senate quizzes police over alleged missing 178,459 firearms
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) on Tuesday queried the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of account and budget, Abdul Sulaiman, over alleged missing 178,459 firearms.
According to the Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, in his 2019 audit report being considered by Senate Committee, the 178,459 firearms, mostly AK-47 rifles, were lost by the Nigeria Police Force commands and formations across the country.
Out of the number, “88,078 were AK-47 rifles,” according to Chira who was represented by Samuel Godwin.
The report also said that similarly, as of January 2020, over 3,907 firearms could not be accounted for, according to the arms movement register and return of firearm records reviewed by the office of the AuGF.
On Tuesday, the committee sat to consider audit queries issued to police by the AGoF.
The AuGF’s 2019 audit report indicated that the firearms were “lost” and “unaccounted” for, covering the period 2000 to 2020.
A series of audit queries raised on the same matter over the years were unreplied to and kept recurring in the AuGF’s reports.
According to the report: the total number of lost firearms as at December 2018, stood at 179,459 pieces.
“Out of this number, 88,078 were AK-47 rifles.
3,907 assorted rifles and pistols across different police formations could not be accounted for as at January, 2020.”
IGP Egbetokun was summoned by the SPAC to appear before it on Tuesday or risk being arrested.
He honoured the invitation and appeared before the committee at the National Assembly.
Egbetokun, after granting the lawmakers due honours and explaining his inability to appear earlier didn’t amount to a deliberate act of disrespect for them, nominated the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Charge of Budgets, Mr. Abdul Suleiman to represent him.
Egbetokun was then excused to go and attend to other official matters by the panel.
The SPAC had eight audit queries against the police, including a case of contract splitting involving the sum of N1.1billion.
However, the query that generated interest was that on the firearms, mostly AK-47 rifles, said to be unaccounted for across police formations and commands in the country.
The acting Chairman of the committee, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, while expressing shock over the development, noted that cases of arms freely available in the wrong hands were contributing heavily to the insecurity in the country.
Nwebonyi said: “This is part of the insecurity we are having in Nigeria today.
“If this number of firearms is in the hands of enemies, that means we are not safe. Even the police are not safe.
“Again, these firearms, rifles were procured with taxpayers’ money and Nigerians have a right to know what happened to them. The public should know the whereabouts of these arms.”
AIG Sulaiman, assisted by other senior police officers, while being grilled by senators, explained that some of the arms were lost in either robbery incidents or that the policemen were killed by criminals and their arms carted away.
Sulaiman also said although the police painstakingly investigated cases reported by the commands/formations, there were those not reported but the authorities always followed up on them.
However, when the committee studied the records presented by the police, members realised that only 15 policemen either died or sustained injuries and were recorded as losing their arms in the process, out of the 3,907 unaccounted for.
Coming under a barrage of sustained questioning by the committee, AIG Sulaiman appealed for more time to enable the police authorities to submit a compressive report on the investigations, findings on the status of the firearms.
To me, no firearm is unaccounted for. We will appeal to the committee to give us more time. We will submit a full report”, Sulaiman said.
In his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, said what the lawmakers had expected to hear from the police was for them to admit that these arms were indeed lost and penalties had been meted out to the offending policemen, especially those who might have sold them to criminals.
Oshiomhole said: “The least we expect is for you to tell us that the arms have been traced to officers who were responsible.
“They must be arrested and paraded just like the police do to ordinary Nigerians. There should be no two sets of laws for different people in Nigeria.
“The arms were procured to take care of Nigerians. Yet they have been taken away by someone.
“The police must account for those arms and whoever was in charge, has to be prosecuted according to the law. We will not waive this one.”
The SPAC, apparently not satisfied with the explanations given by the police, asked the IG’s team to reappear again on Monday.
Ex-presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has said it is possible to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election if the opposition gives the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) close monitoring.
Momodu made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, stressing that removing President Tinubu from office is not impossible.
According to the politician, who recently announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition needs candidates with the political strength and capacity to challenge the ruling party.
“I don’t know why people think it’s impossible that Asiwaju is not removable. Trust me, as long as we give INEC close marking, and that is why you need candidates who will be able to generate the firepower,” he said
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and Wreath-Laying Ceremony took place at the National Arcade in Abuja on Thursday
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Benjamin Kalu, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa, and other dignitaries attended the event.
Vice President Shettima at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, January 15, 2026
The dignitaries were led to the cenotaph in a solemn march by soldiers, where they laid a wreath in remembrance of the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Prayers were also conducted for the living and fallen heroes who fought gallantly for global peace and national integration.
The prayers were led by the Director of Chaplain Services (Protestants) Army, Colonel Rev. B.P. Nyam; followed by the Director of Air Force Islamic Affairs, Group Captain H. Idris; and finally, the Director of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic), Navy Captain Very Rev. Fr. R.C. Diala.
Following the prayers, a minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen heroes, immediately followed by the firing of the artillery gun.
The wreath-laying ceremony, which involves the placing of flowers at a memorial site, then commenced at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Leading the wreath-laying ceremony was Vice President Kashim Shettima, who solemnly proceeded to lay the wreath, accompanied by the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya.
Next to lay wreaths were the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Following them, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, laid her wreath, immediately succeeded by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Abbas Salaheeden, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cameroon.
The Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Inspector General of Police also participated in laying wreaths to honour the fallen heroes.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) is observed annually on 15 January. It serves to honor veterans of World War I and II, as well as the Nigerian Civil War, and to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
News
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: HoR minority caucus honour Nigeria’s fallen heroes, say “your sacrifices not forgotten”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus commemorate with Nigerians on 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, says their sacrifices cannot be forgotten.
This was contained in a commemorative message signed on behalf of the caucus leadership by the Minority Leader, Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda stating that:
“Today, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives joins the rest of the nation in solemn reflection as we honour the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering patriotism of the gallant men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces (past and present) who laid down their lives in defence of our country.
“On this Armed Forces Remembrance Day, we remember with deep gratitude those who paid the ultimate price to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity, and democratic ideals.
“Their selfless service, often rendered in the face of grave danger and personal loss, remains a powerful reminder that our freedoms were hard-won and must never be taken for granted.
“We also salute our wounded heroes and veterans whose sacrifices did not end on the battlefield, as well as the families of fallen soldiers who continue to bear the pain of loss with quiet strength and dignity.
” Your resilience embodies the true spirit of national service, and the nation owes you an enduring debt of gratitude.
“As a Caucus, we reaffirm our commitment to the welfare of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
“This includes sustained advocacy for improved welfare packages, adequate equipment, mental health support, timely pensions, and the fulfilment of all statutory obligations owed to those who have served our nation with honour.
“At a time when our country continues to confront security challenges, we urge renewed national unity, responsible leadership, and collective resolve to support our Armed Forces, not only in words, but through concrete policies and actions that strengthen morale, accountability, and professionalism within the security sector.
“May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. May their sacrifices continue to inspire us to work tirelessly for a safer, more just, and more united Nigeria.
“We remember. We honour. We will never forget.
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