Borno State, on Wednesday, seized not less than 200 assault rifles
from the riot policemen on training.
Investigations revealed that about 159 of the guns were seized from
men of the three mobile police units from Mopol 50, Abuja; Mopol 38
and Mopol 58 based in Akwanga and Lafia respectively in Nasarawa
State.
It was gathered that the men of the Force Mobile Police had been
grumbling about the circumstances that led to the routing of the
police and the seizure of such a large cache of arms and ammunition at
the training.
It was learnt that the authorities resumed the suspended training with
the batch of 159 personnel from the Police Mobile Force only for them
to be attacked a week into the exercise on Wednesday.
It was further learnt that 53 policemen were drafted from each of the
three mobile police formations, thereby bringing the total number to
159 aside from those on the ground.
Investigations further revealed the insurgents did not encounter any
strong resistance from the police personnel as the riot policemen were
directed to keep all their guns at the armoury of the academy before
Boko Haram attacked the academy and captured the armoury.
It was gathered that the policemen were left with no better option
than to flee as they were cut off from the armoury where their guns
were all kept.
A source said the arms and ammunition, which the mobile policemen
submitted at the armoury included AK 47 assault rifles.
Investigations further revealed that a Unit Commander, an Assistant
Superintendent of Police of South South extraction (name withheld) who
was part of the Mopol 58 tea from Lafia was among those missing.
It was further learnt that the police were still looking for a whole
unit of mobile police, comprising 53 men.
The source said, "A total of 159 personnel were taken to the training
academy for this exercise which had been put on hold for a long time.
"Surprisingly, they were attacked on Wednesday about a week after
their resumption for the training in Gwoza.
"The policemen were taken from Mopol 50, Abuja, Mopol 38, Akwanga and
Mopol 58, Lafia, Nasarawa State.
"On that Wednesday, when they were attacked, the training was going on
and they were directed to keep all their guns at the armoury.
"It was during this period that the insurgents came from different
directions, cut the men off from the armoury.
"Under that circumstance, what do you expect the boys to do? They had
to flee the academy for dear life.
"As at today, we have not seen one of our units; also the Commander of
one of the units is still missing. He is an Assistant Superintendent
of Police."
A correspondent gathered that the insurgents were still in firm
control of the Police Academy on Sunday.
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