A police inspector attached to the security detail at the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja, has reportedly lost an assault rifle and 30 rounds of live ammunition after suspected thieves stole his vehicle and carted away the weapon.
The officer, identified as Inspector name witheld was said to have parked his Toyota Camry with registration number ZKW 650AA, registered in Kaduna State, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lokoja on June 13, 2026.
Sources disclosed that the inspector allegedly left a police rifle with breech number FA 4082 and 30 rounds of 7.62×39mm live ammunition inside the vehicle before leaving the area.
Upon his return, he reportedly discovered that the vehicle had been stolen, prompting an immediate security alert.
An internal police wireless message indicated that the incident triggered a coordinated response, with police divisions, patrol teams, the Control Room, and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) mobilised to track down the vehicle and recover the missing firearm.
The stolen vehicle was later recovered abandoned opposite the Federal University Lokoja in the Felele area of the state capital. However, the rifle and ammunition were no longer inside the car when it was found.
Following the discovery, police authorities launched a nationwide search for the missing weapon, directing commands and tactical units across the country to intensify surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at recovering the firearm and arresting those responsible for the theft.
The police wireless communication also urged officers nationwide to remain vigilant and promptly report any information that could lead to the recovery of the rifle or the apprehension of the suspects.
