The Nigeria Police Force has refuted recent claims that 3,907 firearms are missing from its armouries, clarifying that these allegations are based on a 2019 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation. According to Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the report indicated that the firearms were "unaccounted for," not necessarily missing, and the assessment pertains to records compiled before the tenure of the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetok.

The clarification comes after the Senate Public Accounts Committee questioned police officials regarding discrepancies in armoury records, expressing concerns over the unaccounted firearms. 

In response, the police emphasized that during audits, some firearms may not be present in the armouries because they are issued to personnel for ongoing operations. Additionally, the force acknowledged that certain arms were lost during attacks on police formations, particularly during periods of civil unrest, but noted that efforts have been made to recover these weapons, with many already accounted for. 

The police also highlighted that these issues predate the current Inspector-General's administration and do not reflect the current status of their armouries. They expressed concern over misinformation that could undermine public confidence in law enforcement and reiterated their commitment to transparency and accountability.