A Nigerian police officer from the Mobile Police (MOPOL) 39 Base in Osogbo, Osun State, has reportedly misplaced his service pistol at a beer parlour near the base, raising concerns about firearm management within the Nigeria Police Force.
The incident, confirmed by a senior police official at the base, has caused significant unease among the unit’s personnel as efforts to locate the missing weapon continue.
According to the source, the officer, identified as Inspector Monday, checked out the pistol from the base’s armoury late last year. However, there is no official record of its return, leading to questions about the weapon’s current location. Inspector Monday claims to have returned the firearm to an armourer, Inspector Osas, but this transaction is not documented in the arms registry.
The source further disclosed that the pistol was lost at a beer parlour adjacent to the base, a spot frequented by some officers even during official hours. This revelation highlights potential lapses in discipline and accountability within the force.
Attempts to reach Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, for comments have been unsuccessful, as her contact number was unreachable at the time of reporting.
This incident adds to a series of concerns regarding missing police firearms under the supervision of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun. A previously leaked internal police memo detailed various instances where officers lost firearms, including a fatal ambush by bandits in Zamfara State. In that attack, five police officers and three soldiers were killed, and four service rifles were seized by the assailants.
The recurring issue of missing firearms underscores the urgent need for improved accountability and stricter adherence to protocols within the Nigeria Police Force.
