Police have launched an investigation into a mysterious theft of firearms and ammunition from Maguguni Patrol Base in Thika. The incident, which occurred early Tuesday morning, has raised serious questions about internal security and accountability within the police service.
Reports indicate that the theft was discovered around 4 a.m. by an officer on night duty, who noticed unusual activity near the patrol base and a neighbouring church after hearing dogs barking. Upon returning from his patrol, the officer observed that one of the iron sheets covering the armoury had been removed.
Further inspection revealed that the padlock securing the armoury door had been tampered with, and the steel box used to store firearms was open. A subsequent check confirmed that several weapons and rounds of ammunition were missing.
Among the stolen items were an AK-47 rifle with two fully loaded magazines containing 60 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a G3 rifle with one loaded magazine of 20 rounds, two empty magazines, and an additional 96 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Senior officers from Thika East, including the Sub-County Police Commander and the Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer, visited the scene to assess the situation. Crime Scene Investigators from Thika West also documented the area and collected evidence to aid in the probe.
In a puzzling twist, preliminary investigations revealed no signs of forced entry. The two padlocks securing the armoury were reportedly found intact, suggesting that the theft may have been an inside job. Authorities are now exploring how the suspects managed to access the weapons without breaking into the armoury.
Following the discovery, a search operation was launched to recover the missing firearms and ammunition. The officer on duty at the time of the incident has since been detained to assist with the ongoing investigations.
The disappearance of the weapons has sparked concerns over lax security protocols and the potential misuse of the stolen firearms. Police are urging the public to provide any information that could lead to the recovery of the missing weapons and the arrest of those responsible.
