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Reps order investigation of missing 178,459 NPF firearms

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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.”

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Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

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Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA ave neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Kaura, in a successful operation carried out in Goburawar Dawan Jiya village, located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Reliable intelligence sources, told Zagazola Makama that the operation occurred during the weeklong offensive campaign resulting in the death of Kaura and several of his fighters during a tactical raid on their hideout.

Zagazola understand that Kachalla Bello Kaura was identified as a key terror figure responsible for numerous deadly attacks across Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

He was also linked to the terror group Ansaruddin, and was believed to have facilitated the group’s incursion into Bagega Forest and the Gando Game Reserve, where he reportedly received training in the assembly and use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Born in Sunke village in Anka LGA, Kaura was the younger brother of late Kachalla Alhaji Shadari, another infamous bandit kingpin who was eliminated by security forces in January 2023 during an operation in the Sunke Forest.

Following Shadari’s death, Kaura assumed leadership of the group and continued to orchestrate violent attacks, particularly in Anka, Bukkuyum, and Gummi LGAs of Zamfara State. He was also responsible for cross-border assaults in parts of Kebbi and Sokoto States, often attributed to Lakurawa by security agencies.

Security sources confirm that the operation was carried out after weeks of surveillance and coordinated intelligence efforts, resulting in a significant blow.

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining pressure on terror and bandit networks in the North West zone and called on residents to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing military and security operations.

Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Leader Kachalla Bello Kaura in Zamfara

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Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several FightersAnd Recover Weapons in Zamfara

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Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Troops under the Headquarters Operation Forest Yakin (HQOPFY) have commenced “Operation Munzo,” a special clearance operation targeting terrorist camps in Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama gathered from intelligence sources that the operation kicked off from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bagega in Anka Local Government Area, with troops advancing through Tibuki and Sabuwar Tunga villages to the notorious Mati terrorist camps.

The sources said heavy resistance was encountered as the terrorists engaged the advancing troops with light and support weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades. However, the troops responded with superior firepower, neutralising scores of the insurgents in the process.

Intercepts suggest that the terror kingpin known as Mati, believed to be the mastermind of several attacks in the area, was killed along with several of his fighters during the fierce exchange.

A soldier attached to the Special Boat Service (SBS) sustained a gunshot wound to the lower rib and has since been stabilised and evacuated for treatment.

Items recovered from the scene include one PKT rifle with two belts and 90 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, five AK-47 rifles, and 12 magazines containing 487 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Also recovered were three Baofeng radios with chargers, military and police uniforms, and other combat gear. Three motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were destroyed on site, while rustled cattle found at the camp were also eliminated.

All terrorist life-support structures in the Mati camp were completely burnt and destroyed during the operation. However, two tyres of a combat support vehicle were damaged, and another vehicle sustained a broken lower arm.

In a separate movement, logistics vehicles advancing from FOB Bagega to FOB Dan Gulbi at about 9:15 a.m. came under ambush near a bridge. The troops promptly repelled the attack.

While casualty figures on the side of the attackers remain unconfirmed, one soldier sustained injuries and is reported to be in stable condition.

“Operation Munzo” is expected to continue in the coming days as troops intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves across Zamfara’s forested zones.

Troops Launch Operation Munzo, Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mati, Several Fighters
And Recover Weapons in Zamfara

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Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

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Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

By: Zagazola Makama

A team from Operation Fansar Yamma (OPFY), alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CPG), came under heavy gunfire on April 6, 2025, as they responded to a distress call along the Doka-Agama Lafia Road in Tsafe Local Government Area.

The military personnel and CPG members were ambushed by unknown armed bandits, resulting in a fierce gun battle.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that two armed bandits were shot dead during the engagement.

However, three military personnel and one CPG member sustained gunshot injuries. The injured victims were swiftly evacuated to the General Hospital Tsafe for medical treatment.

Military and Civilian Joint Task Force Ambushed by Armed Bandits, Two Bandits Killed, Several Injured

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