The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has initiated an internal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft of a pistol from its armory at the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp in Nadi, which occurred on September 25.
The firearm, identified as a U.S. 9mm M9 Beretta, was taken without authorization by Sitiveni Tavakece, an air-conditioning technician from Solovi, Nadi, last month. Following his guilty plea to charges of theft, he was sentenced to prison by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court.
The stolen pistol has since been returned to the RFMF. An RFMF representative stated they will hold accountable those responsible for the security lapse. They also confirmed that in addition to the pistol, multiple other items have also been reported missing from the camp.
“The RFMF acknowledges the incident concerning the missing pistol,” the spokesperson said. “An internal investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts related to the weapon’s disappearance. We assure the public that this is an isolated incident, and there is no need for alarm.”
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua has provided reassurance to the public that all RFMF weaponry is securely stored within proper facilities. He emphasized the importance of safety and security following the disappearance of the firearm from the Blackrock Camp and assured that measures have been implemented to prevent recurrences.
“It is unfortunate that this incident has occurred, and we are addressing it to ensure such an event does not happen in the future,” Mr. Tikoduadua stated, noting that the legal system has played its role in this matter.
On the legal front, Tavakece, 24, was sentenced to nine months and 19 days in prison for unauthorized removal of the pistol during a hearing at the Nadi Magistrate’s Court last Friday. He faced charges of theft and possession of arms without a license, to which he confessed.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Tavakece had unlawfully possessed the pistol, valued at $1,500, along with three souvenir medals that belonged to the RFMF. Besides the prison term, he was also fined $1,000 for his actions.
According to information from firearms-related resources, the Beretta M9 is a semi-automatic pistol that has served as a standard sidearm for the United States Armed Forces since its adoption in 1985. The M9 is characterized by its short recoil operation and can accommodate a 15-round staggered box magazine, featuring a reversible magazine release for ambidextrous use.