1 week ago
30
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has written to the Senate on the reported 3, 907 missing assault rifles as contained in the 2019 Audit Report by the Office of Auditor – General of the Federation (OAuGF).
Egbetokun, in the letter read Thursday on the floor of the Senate by its President, Godswill Akpabio , sought for subsequent investigation of the audit report preferably behind closed doors.
The IGP also dismissed the 2019 Audited Report by the Auditor-General for the Federation, which claimed that thousands of rifles were missing or unaccounted for in the police armory as of January 2020, describing it as inaccurate.
Egbetokun, who was at the public hearing on Tuesday conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, but asked to be allowed to attend to other pressing national issues, faulted the report of the auditor-general, saying it is “rooted in inaccuracies.”
The IGP could not conceal his disappointment and profound shock at the way the police were treated during the course of the public hearing by the Senate panel, especially in the full glare of the public and the eyes of international community.
He, however, pleaded for time to enable the Police carry out a thorough investigation of its own on the matter, even as he called on the leadership of the Senate to keep such future engagements behind closed doors and be a lot more discreet when dealing with issues of national security.
He said: “We appreciate the Senate committee’s probe into the alleged missing firearms and urge the committee to conduct future hearings on sensitive security issues in camera so that the wrong impression will not be created in the minds of Nigerians and in the minds of the international community.
“This is crucial to prevent misinformation and ensure national security. Conducting hearings on these sensitive security issues in camera will help prevent the spread of misinformation and protect national security interests. It will also allow for more candid discussions and fact-finding.”
The Police boss said he was “committed to maintaining a strong partnership with the National Assembly, working together to drive positive changes in our country and improving the lives of Nigerians and the security of the nation.”
On his part, Senator Akpabio said the IGP’s letter was very clear, just as he assured that investigation will be done both internally by the police and further investigation will also be conducted by the Senate.
Senate Deputy Whip Onyechachi Nwoebonyi, (APC, Ebonyi North) who, on Tuesday, presided over the Senate Public Accounts Committee as vice chairman in the absence of the chairman, Aliyu Wadada, asked the Police to return next Monday with a better explanation about the missing rifles.
His spirited attempts to comment on Egbetokun’s letter in defending the action of the committee was totally ignored by the President of the Senate.
….Customs hands over 3,897 rifles, cartridges
And in a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) handed over 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCOSALW).
Comptroller General NCS Adewale Adeniyi handed over the items Thursday at the Customs Federal Operation Unit Zone “A” in Lagos.
The customs boss said the rifles were seized in 2018 in three containers at the Tin Can Island Port.
According to him, the hand-over ceremony demonstrated the Service’ commitment to protecting national borders and maintaining public safety.
Adeniyi assured that the agency would spare no resource in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise the nation’s national security through arms trafficking.
He further explained that the handover of the weapons to the NCCSALW symbolised the Service’s commitment to proper disposal of seized arms, reiterating its resolve to rid the nation of illegal weapons.
The NCS boss lauded the professionalism and courage of its personnel involved in the seizures, as well as the Forensics Unit for their role in securing convictions.
He said: “Today’s handover encompasses a total of 1,599 assorted arms and 2,298 live cartridges recovered from these operations, between 2018 till date, totalling 3, 897.
“In May 2018, the Service intercepted a significant cache of arms consisting of 440 pump action rifles and accessories, ingeniously concealed within 516 bags of Plaster of Paris (POP) cement in a 1x20ft container with number PONU210024/1.
” This seizure coincided with heightened security challenges from armed bandits in the North-West and illegal arms proliferation in the South-East.
”This reveals the linkage between transnational smuggling networks and our domestic security challenges.
“Through sustained intelligence operations, we intercepted two additional containers – CMAU 189817/8 and GESU 255208/1 at Tin-Can Island Port, similarly concealing arms and ammunition among sanitary wares.”
Following the seizure, the customs boss said forensics were deployed to conduct detailed electronic analysis of customs documentation and shipping records.
“Through established diplomatic channels, we partnered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Turkish Embassy, leading to definitive identification of the purchasing company.
“The investigation trail, supported by financial records obtained through court orders, enabled us to establish the identities of those behind this illegal arms shipment.
“Through strategic inter-agency cooperation, particularly with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, we successfully prosecuted the case (Suit No: FHC/L/339C/2018) before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“The defendants Great James Oil and Gas Limited, Ifeuwa Moses Christ, and Emeka Umeh Festus A.K.A (Amankwa) were convicted on eight count charges.
“This prosecution success reinforces the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking and validates the effectiveness of our judicial collaboration,” Adeniyi said.
Speaking further, Adeniyi described the successful prosecution of those involved in the illegal arms shipments as a reinforcement of the NCS’s zero-tolerance stance against arms trafficking.
The NCS boss assured that the agency would spare no resource “in hunting down, exposing, and prosecuting anyone who attempts to compromise the national security through arms trafficking.
“We stand ready to deploy our full arsenal of intelligence and enforcement capabilities to protect legitimate trade while ensuring Nigeria’s security interests remain paramount.”
…Ribadu assures
Receiving the weapons, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu assured the NCCSALW would take all necessary measures, in line with relevant conventions and best practices, to permanently remove these weapons from circulation.
Represented by the NCCSALW’s Director-General, Mr Babatunde Kokumo, he said assured the weapons would be treated in accordance with international conventions, as Nigeria was a signatory to the ECOWAS convention.
The NSA noted that since its establishment in May 2021, the centre had spearheaded multi-stakeholder initiatives to curb the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Bola Tinubu had signed the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act 2024 into law on June 4 2024.
Ribadu said this swift legislative action underscores the President’s unwavering commitment to ensuring peace and tranquility in the country and demonstrated the premium he placed on national security for all Nigerians.
The NSA said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership and support had mitigated threats such as terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, pipeline vandalism, and other challenges to its national peace and stability in the country.
Ribadu commended all officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service for their loyalty and tireless efforts, which led to achieving the critical interceptions.
“I also wish to appreciate the leadership of all other arms-bearing and security agencies for their dedicated cooperation as we continue to press forward.
“As we mark yet another milestone in our relentless fight against illicit small arms and light weapons, I urge all stakeholders to remain vigilant and continue our collaborative efforts.
“Together, in our unified commitment, we can ensure that Nigeria remains resilient against the scourge of unlawful weaponry and that our communities are safeguarded for future generations,” he said. (NAN)
English (US) ·