The Taraba State Police Command has detained a police inspector and his girlfriend after an assault rifle was reported missing along the Wukari–Jootar Federal Highway.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the missing weapon belonged to Insp. Joshua Charles, 45, a member of the Safer Highway Patrol team. Reports indicate that on December 25, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., the inspector allegedly left his duty post for Wukari town, leaving behind three colleagues — Insp. Haruna Galadima, Insp. Isah Waziri, and Insp. Umar Mohammed — to continue patrol duties.
A source revealed that at about 8:30 p.m., the inspector’s girlfriend, identified as Ruth Alphancis from the Sabon Gari area of Jalingo, returned from Jootar village in Benue State and claimed she saw an unidentified person fleeing from their residence. Alphancis has reportedly been living with the officer since August 2025.
Upon his return later that evening, allegedly in a drunken state, Insp. Charles discovered that his Type 06 assault rifle — loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition — was missing. The exact breach number of the rifle has not yet been confirmed.
Police operatives have since visited the scene and launched an investigation to recover the missing firearm and arrest those involved. “The inspector and his girlfriend are currently in custody to assist with the investigation, while local residents and hunters have joined efforts to locate the rifle,” the source added.
