The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has initiated an internal investigation following the disappearance of a pistol from its armory at the Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp in Nadi on September 25.
The missing pistol is identified as a U.S. 9mm M9 model, which was reportedly taken without authorization by an air-conditioning technician named Sitiveni Tavakece from Solovi, Nadi. Last month, Tavakece pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to jail by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court. The stolen pistol has been returned to the RFMF.
An RFMF spokesperson stated that those responsible for the security breach will face consequences. In addition to the pistol, other items were also reported missing from the camp. The spokesperson emphasized that the RFMF is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and assured the public that this situation is isolated and should not cause alarm.
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua reassured the public that all RFMF firearms are securely stored in armories. He acknowledged that such incidents raise concerns regarding public safety and confirmed that steps are being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Tikoduadua stated that the RFMF is aware of the seriousness of the incident and is committed to addressing the issues that led to it.
In the courtroom, Tavakece, 24, received a sentence of nine months and 19 days in jail last Friday. He faced charges of theft and possession of arms without a license, to which he pleaded guilty. The court found that he unlawfully took a pistol valued at $1,500 and three souvenir medals belonging to the RFMF. In addition to his prison sentence, he was fined $1,000 for his actions.
According to various sources, the Beretta M9 is a semi-automatic pistol utilized by the United States Armed Forces, having been adopted as their service pistol in 1985. It features a short recoil mechanism and can accommodate a 15-round magazine, with a dual-action capability suitable for both right- and left-handed users.