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.”
Military
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS), have rescued a kidnapped victim following a swift response to a suspected terrorist attack in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources disclosed that the troops, deployed at Abaji, acted on a report at about 1:45 p.m. on April 21 regarding an attack at Tumataa community.
On arrival, the troops engaged the suspected terrorists in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee the scene.
The victim was successfully rescued and has since been reunited with family members.
The sources added that troops are sustaining operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim in Benue
Military
Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina
Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have recovered no fewer than 225 rustled cattle after engaging suspected bandits in Katsina State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was carried out at about 8:00 a.m. on April 20 by troops of 17 Brigade following credible intelligence on the movement of a notorious bandit leader, identified as Muhammad Filani, and his group.
The sources said the suspects were tracked to Kauri village in Kankia Local Government Area, where troops made contact and engaged them in a firefight.
“Upon contact, the troops engaged the bandits effectively, forcing them to flee and abandon the rustled cattle,” the source said.
The troops subsequently recovered a total of 225 cattle, which were handed over to relevant local authorities for identification and return to their rightful owners.
Military authorities noted that the operation has dealt a significant blow to cattle rustling networks operating within the area.
They added that troops have sustained aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to deny bandits freedom of action across the state.
Meanwhile, under Operation Savannah Shield, troops continued offensive operations and routine security activities within their areas of responsibility.
Sources, however, confirmed that there was no major incident recorded during the period under review.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while intensifying efforts to combat banditry and related crimes in the North West.
Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina
Military
Troops Respond to Kidnap Incident in Plateau, Launch Rescue Operation
Troops Respond to Kidnap Incident in Plateau, Launch Rescue Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have responded to a kidnap incident involving a female resident in Plateau State, with efforts ongoing to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on April 21 at Nagwak village in Gindiri District of Mangu Local Government Area.
The sources said troops of Sector 8, operating under Operation Enduring Peace, in collaboration with other security agencies, responded swiftly to reports of the abduction.
“On arrival at the scene, troops discovered the husband of the abducted woman with gunshot wounds,” a source said.
The injured victim was immediately evacuated by the troops to a medical facility for treatment.
According to the sources, preliminary findings indicate that the attackers abducted the female victim before fleeing the area.
Troops have since launched search and rescue operations, with intensified patrols aimed at tracking down the kidnappers and securing the safe release of the victim.
Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to security agencies.
Troops Respond to Kidnap Incident in Plateau, Launch Rescue Operation
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