Inspector Detained After Service Rifle Disappears While He Went Out to Eat at Abia Police Headquarters

An officer has been detained after a service rifle went missing while he briefly stepped out to eat at the Abia State Police Command Headquarters in Umuahia.

The incident involved Inspector Ibe Stanley (AP/No. 338698) of the Metro 3 Unit, Mine, and occurred around 1:00 p.m. while he was on duty at the command gate. Inspector Stanley reportedly received permission from his guard commander, Inspector Elemi Ivara, to leave his post for a short meal break. He left his rifle secured inside his bag at the command quarter guard.

Upon returning, the officer discovered the bag—and the rifle—had vanished. An alarm was raised immediately, but none of the officers on duty, including Inspectors Mark Okoi, Elemi Ivara, Jacobson Aniedi, and two others whose names are yet to be confirmed, claimed responsibility for the missing item.

According to the police incident report:

“At about 1300 hours, while posted on duty at the Abia State Command Headquarters gate, he took permission from his guard commander to go and eat. He dropped his rifle at the command quarter guard, locked inside his bag. On his return, he discovered that the bag containing his rifle had been taken away by an unknown person. An alarm was raised, but no one admitted to removing it.”

Inspector Stanley has been detained at the Central Police Station (CPS), Umuahia, as investigations continue. The case is being overseen by the Commanding Officer of the 28 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Umuahia.