A police inspector attached to the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja has lost an assault rifle and 30 rounds of live ammunition after suspected thieves stole his vehicle within the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat.
The incident was disclosed in an internal police wireless message dated June 16, 2026, which was circulated to police commands nationwide.
According to the report, the missing firearm belongs to Inspector Mohammed Abdullahi, a member of the Government House security detail in Lokoja.
The officer reportedly parked his Toyota Camry, bearing Kaduna registration number ZKW 650AA, at the NUJ Secretariat in Lokoja at about 7:30 p.m. on June 13. The vehicle contained a police rifle with breech number FA 4082 and 30 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition.
According to Sahara report, Upon returning to the location, Abdullahi discovered that the vehicle had been stolen.
“Be informed that on 13/06/2026 at about 19:30 hours, Police Number 372825, Inspector Mohammed Abdullahi, attached to my office, reported that he parked his Toyota Camry with Kaduna State registration number ZKW 650AA at the NUJ Secretariat, Lokoja, with a police rifle (breech number FA 4082) and 30 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition inside the vehicle. When he returned, the vehicle was missing,” the police signal stated.
Following the report, police authorities alerted divisional commands, patrol units, the Control Room, and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in Lokoja. Security operatives were also deployed across the city and adjoining routes to track down the stolen vehicle and recover the weapon.
The vehicle was later recovered abandoned opposite the Federal University, Felele, Lokoja. However, the rifle and ammunition had already been removed before the car was found.
“The vehicle was later found abandoned opposite the Federal University, Lokoja, Felele, while the rifle had been taken away,” the signal added.
Police authorities have since launched a nationwide manhunt for the missing firearm. Commands across the country, including tactical units, detectives, and patrol teams, have been directed to intensify efforts to recover the weapon and apprehend those responsible.
Officers were also instructed to circulate details of the missing rifle to their respective formations and immediately notify the Kogi State Police Command should any useful information emerge.
