Military
Reps order investigation of missing 178,459 NPF firearms
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged failure of the Nigeria Police Force to account for firearms totalling 178,459 as of January 2020.
The move is in reaction to audit queries issued against the NPF by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The office had recently said by the end of 2019, the Force Headquarters could not account for 178,459 firearms, out of which 88,078 are AK-47 rifles, according to one of the eight queries issued against the NPF by the office.
The queries are contained in the ‘Auditor-General of the Federation’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Year Ended 31st December, 2019.’
The Acting Auditor-General of the Federation, Adolphus Aghughu, had presented the report to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos, on September 15, 2021, while the Senate and House Committees on Public Accounts are investigating the queries.
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At plenary on Thursday, the House mandated an ad hoc committee to “establish the veracity of those allegations and conduct due diligence of the control processes of the armoury of the Nigeria Police Force; and report back to the House within four weeks.”
The House also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to take urgent actions to apprehend those culpable for the depletion of the armoury of the NPF.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, had moved a motion of urgent public importance, which was titled ‘Need to investigate the alleged missing firearms and ammunition of the Nigeria Police.’
Okechukwu said the House was aware of the findings in the report that the police high command failed to keep record of unserviceable and expired firearms and ammunition; owing to non-compliance to the internal control system of the NPF.
He said, “The House is worried that the value of the lost firearms could not be ascertained because no document relating to their cost of acquisition was presented for examination.
“The House is mindful of the worsening state of security, kidnapping and banditry in the country and concerned that the missing arms could have found their ways into wrong hands.
“The House is also mindful that Nigeria did not undertake any war in recent times.”
In a query titled ‘Loss of Firearms and Ammunition,’ the Auditor-General said audit observed from the review of arms movement register, monthly returns of arms and ammunition, and the ammunition register at the Armoury Section that “the total number of lost firearms as reported as at December 2018 stood at 178,459.”
It added, “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. Formal reports on the loss of firearms through duly completed Treasury Form 146 (Loss of Stores) were not presented for examination.
“Records obtained from Force Armament at the Force headquarters showed 21 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Abuja did not report a single case of missing firearm, whereas, schedule of missing arms obtained from the same PMF showed a total number of 46 missing arms between year 2000 and February 2019, and the value of the lost firearms could not be ascertained because no document relating to their cost of acquisition was presented for examination.”
The office attributed the “anomalies” to “weaknesses in the internal control system at the Nigeria Police Force Armament.”
Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed militia in Plateau State after he attempted to disarm a soldier during an operation.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sept. 5 during a follow-up operation to a hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
A day earlier, on Sept. 4, troops had arrested the militia at Kaskra with an AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to involvement in several criminal activities within Barkin Ladi and volunteered to lead troops to the hideout of his cohorts to recover weapons.
Sources said that while the search was ongoing at the hideout, the militia made a desperate attempt to snatch a soldier’s rifle in order to escape.
“He was swiftly overpowered and neutralised by the troops in the process,” one of the sources said.
The remains of the deceased suspect were deposited at a hospital morgue, while follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more weapons.
The sources reaffirmed military’s commitment to sustain the momentum against armed militias and other criminal elements in Plateau, stressing that no effort would be spared in restoring peace and stability across the Joint Operations Area.
Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
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Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by ISWAP terrorists on their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola Makama reports that the attack occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday.
A reinforcement team joined the operation and engaged the insurgents in a clearance operation.
Sources told Zagazola that one Wednesday that several terrorists were killed while one soldier paid the supreme price in action, while another sustained injuries.
The injured personnel has since been evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the fallen hero were moved to the 7 Division Military Morgue in Maiduguri.
Items recovered from the terrorists during exploitation include AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Baofeng radios, and belted ammunition for a machine gun.
The sources added that the terrorists, who withdrew in disarray, were believed to have suffered several casualties, though the exact figure was not confirmed.
They explained that the general security situation in the area remains calm but unpredictable.
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