Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has formally requested a private session with the Senate panel on Public Accounts over the ongoing investigation into the alleged disappearance of 3,907 firearms from police armories, citing critical national security concerns.
In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Egbetokun expressed deep reservations about the public nature of the probe, emphasizing that sensitive security matters should be handled discreetly to prevent misinformation and protect the country’s interests. He described the 2019 Auditor-General’s report, which flagged the missing firearms as of January 2020, as “inaccurate and misleading.”
Egbetokun’s letter highlighted the police force’s disappointment with the public hearing, noting that the widespread media coverage had the potential to undermine Nigeria’s security efforts and create unnecessary panic both locally and internationally. The IGP urged the Senate to allow the police more time for an internal investigation and requested that future inquiries into security-related issues be conducted behind closed doors for more candid discussions and thorough fact-finding.
The Senate, however, remained firm in its demand for accountability, with Deputy Whip Onyechachi Nwoebonyi directing the police to present a more comprehensive report by next Monday. Despite the IGP’s concerns, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts emphasized its commitment to transparency while acknowledging the need to balance public interest with national security.
Egbetokun reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly, stressing the importance of a strong partnership in addressing the nation’s security challenges. Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the IGP’s concerns but assured that both internal investigations by the police and further scrutiny by the Senate would continue. As the controversy unfolds, the nation eagerly awaits a clearer account of the missing firearms and the next steps from both the police and the Senate.
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