Senior Officer Sacked, Many Others Shifted In Ammo Theft
KUWAIT CITY, April 9: First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hmoud has sacked a senior officer for allegedly breaking into the ammunition warehouse of the ‘Kazma’ shooting range and stealing 35,000 rounds of M16 rifle and pistols, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting knowledgeable sources.
The same sources said the decision was taken after the official was held responsible for decline in the level of security in various sectors of the ministry.
The sources added Al-Hmoud has also moved a number of security officers whose names surfaced during interrogations to the Ministry head office until investigations into the issue are completed.
According to the sources, five people — three Bangladeshis and two unidentified persons — working at the site were taken into custody in connection with the theft.
The Al-Qabas daily said personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department are holding confidential investigations and men from the Criminal Evidences Department have lifted fingerprints of a person from one of three broken doors.
According to initial investigations the thieves had full knowledge of the entries and exits of the warehouse and also allegedly chose the right time. The stolen ammunition was transported in a small truck.
The Al-Watan Arabic daily said an officer who was responsible for education and training was negligent. He reportedly kept all the ammunition in a room without the knowledge of his superiors - the ammunition which should have been returned to the academy.
The daily added the rooms are still being built and no CCTV cameras have been installed. A complaint was filed by the guard on March 17, 2013 with the North Jahra Police Station when he discovered someone had broken the locks on the door. In spite of this, no precautionary measures were adopted.
In the meantime, the Al-Seyassah daily said several parliamentarians have reacted to the incident. MP Saad Al-Bous said the theft of 35,000 rounds of ammunition from depots belonging to the Ministry of Interior has become the talk of the Diwaniyas and called on the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmed Hmoud to quickly identify the cause and hold to account those responsible.
Al-Bous has put a demand to the Interior Minister to establish a fact-finding committee to uncover the circumstances of the incident which is the first of its kind in Kuwait’s history. He described the incident as a breach of the security establishment.
He said: “The Interior Minister should form a ministerial committee to investigate the facts and if the committee fails to yield results in two months, we will demand the formation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry to uncover the circumstances of the incident.
He added, it is regrettable that the Interior Ministry has not issued a clear statement on this issue. He said the big question is: Is the Ministry of Interior unable to protect its ammunition depots? If so, how will the ministry protect the interests of the citizens and provide security for the people?
MP Hisham Baghli said this incident is a serious indicator that the goal is to disturb the stability of this country.
Al-Baghli said in a statement this is either a pre-planned theft or happened due to negligence of the people who are entrusted with guarding military warehouses. This indicates there are breaches in security system.
MP Yaqoub Al-Sane doubted the involvement of people from either inside or outside the country and this incident threatens the security and stability of the country.
“We all know that there are many people who do not want to see Kuwait secure and stable. They work to sow seeds of division among the Kuwaitis to stop its growth, progress and development,” he said.
He added: It is clear the stolen ammunition can fall in the hands of criminals who can use it in sabotage activities and to create a state of chaos.
Senior officer sacked, many others shifted in ammo theft
