Concerns Mount as Nigerian Police Officer Loses Service Pistol at Beer Parlour
A Nigerian police officer attached to the MOPOL 39 Osogbo Base in Osun State has reportedly lost his service pistol at a nearby beer parlour, raising serious concerns about the handling and accountability of firearms within the Nigeria Police Force. The incident, confirmed by a high-ranking police officer from the base, has caused a wave of anxiety within the police unit as efforts continue to locate the missing weapon.
The officer, identified only as Inspector Monday, had checked out the pistol from the base’s armoury late last year. However, there is no record of the pistol’s return, despite the officer’s claim that he handed it back to one of the armourers, Inspector Osas. This lack of documentation has intensified suspicions about the fate of the firearm.
The pistol was reportedly lost at a local beer parlour near the police base, a spot frequented by officers even during official working hours. The incident is just one of several, indicating serious lapses in accountability within the police force.
The police source also revealed that this missing firearm case coincides with wider concerns over disappearing police weapons, including incidents under the watch of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun. Earlier reports, including a leaked internal memo, highlighted the growing problem of lost firearms, including a tragic ambush by bandits in Zamfara State, which resulted in the loss of police firearms and lives.
As the search for the missing pistol continues, the Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, has yet to provide any official comment, with her phone remaining unreachable at the time of writing.
