The Bauchi State Police Command said it has begun an investigation into gun-running allegations against its officers.
This followed WikkiTimes’ exclusive report that over 100 firearms were missing from the command and the officers responsible for this were being detained on the order of the commissioner of police, Umar Mamman Sanda, pending an internal investigation in the six local government areas where they serve.
A few hours later, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, corroborated WikkiTimes’ story, alleging that some operatives of the Bauchi Police Command are involved in gunrunning business with some individuals who are plotting to kill him. He, however, petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, to probe the matter.
Responding via a tweet, the Bauchi State Police Command informed WikkiTimes that the commissioner of police has ordered DCP, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to investigate the circumstances accordingly.
“The command has commenced a discreet investigation led by DCP SCID as directed by CP UM Sanda,” it tweeted.
Hitherto, Dogara in his petition disclosed that the matter “is currently before the DCP, Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Bauchi State Command.”
Contradiction
In an audio obtained by WikkiTimes, Sanda, the Bauchi State commissioner of police, preempted the findings of an investigation he earlier ordered, saying Dogara’s claims are not true.
Sanda stated in the audio that the investigation is ongoing and the situation is not deemed life-threatening yet. According to him, the police got a tip-off that a police officer had stolen weapons and wanted to sell them.
“After confirming the report, the suspect confessed to stealing the arms and revealed that one person from Tafawa Balewa is the alleged buyer of the arms,” the police boss said. “Further investigations by the police force revealed the alleged buyer sought the weapons to avenge an incident that occurred in Tafawa Balewa, leading to the loss of his houses in a fire outbreak.”
Nonetheless, Sanda reiterated that the investigation is still ongoing and the situation is under control.
