The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has initiated an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the theft of a pistol from its armory at the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp on September 25.
The firearm, identified as a U.S. 9mm M9 BERETTA USA, was taken from the camp without authorization by Sitiveni Tavakece, an air-conditioning technician from Solovi, Nadi. Tavakece was subsequently prosecuted and sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to the theft in Nadi Magistrate’s Court. The stolen pistol has since been retrieved and returned to the RFMF.
An RFMF spokesperson confirmed that the organization is committed to addressing the security breach and ensuring accountability for those involved. It was also revealed that additional items had gone missing from the camp alongside the pistol.
The spokesperson stated, “The RFMF acknowledges the incident at the Blackrock Camp involving the missing pistol and is carrying out an internal investigation to explore the details surrounding 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 reassured the public about the security protocols in place for RFMF arms. He emphasized that such incidents raise concerns regarding safety, particularly when firearms are unaccounted for within military facilities. Tikoduadua affirmed that all necessary measures are being implemented to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
“It is unfortunate that this has occurred, and we are working to improve our processes to ensure it does not happen again,” he stated, acknowledging the role of law enforcement in addressing the situation.
Tavakece, the individual involved in the theft, was sentenced to nine months and 19 days in jail by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court last Friday. He faced two counts of theft and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and pleaded guilty to all charges. The court found that he had unlawfully taken the pistol, valued at $1500, along with three souvenir medals that belonged to the RFMF.
The Beretta M9, the stolen firearm, is a semi-automatic pistol that has been in service with the United States Armed Forces since 1985. The M9 is known for its short recoil, utilizing a 15-round staggered magazine and designed for both right and left-handed users.