Police authorities have launched a nationwide search for an assault rifle and ammunition reportedly missing after a vehicle belonging to a police inspector attached to the security detail at the Kogi State Government House, Lokoja, was stolen by suspected thieves.
The incident, which has heightened security concerns within law enforcement circles, reportedly occurred on June 13, 2026, at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lokoja, where the officer had parked his vehicle before leaving the area.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the officer, whose identity has been withheld, had parked a Toyota Camry with registration number ZKW 650AA, registered in Kaduna State, at the location. The vehicle was allegedly left unattended for some time before it was discovered missing.
It was further gathered that the inspector had allegedly left a police-issued assault rifle bearing breech number FA 4082, along with 30 rounds of 7.62×39mm live ammunition, inside the vehicle before it was stolen. The disappearance of the firearm immediately triggered concern among security authorities due to the potential risks associated with weapons falling into unauthorized hands.
Following the report of the theft, police commands in Kogi State activated emergency response measures and circulated alerts across operational units. Divisional police officers, patrol teams, the State Control Room, and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were mobilised to track the stolen vehicle and recover the missing firearm.
Security operatives later recovered the vehicle abandoned opposite the Federal University Lokoja in the Felele area of the state capital. However, a search conducted on the recovered car reportedly revealed that the rifle and ammunition were no longer inside, raising fears that the weapon may have been taken away by the suspects.
An internal police wireless communication seen by security sources indicated that the development prompted an expanded manhunt beyond Kogi State, with commands and tactical formations across the country directed to intensify surveillance, intelligence gathering, and stop-and-search operations aimed at recovering the firearm and apprehending those responsible.
The police communication also urged officers nationwide to remain vigilant and promptly relay any useful information that could assist ongoing investigations. As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been announced, while efforts to recover the missing rifle and ammunition were said to be ongoing.
