Senior police officer commits suicide amid arms audit probe

A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Abdullahi Isah, attached to Mopol 12, Minna, has reportedly died after shooting himself during a routine arms audit, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed.

Command Spokesman, SP Abiodun Wasiu, noted that Isah had been arrested on December 15 over suspected involvement in illegal ammunition dealings.

Wasiu said that on December 16, at about 2:30 p.m., Isah was taken to his office for a scheduled arms audit.

“Unfortunately, during the audit, Isah picked up a pistol from his office and shot himself in the head, dying instantly,” he said.

The police spokesman added that officers assigned to the audit and investigation have been arrested for negligence in the line of duty.

Further investigations are ongoing.

The audit reportedly revealed that 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition were missing, focusing only on the AK-47 section.

Isah, who served as Head of Armoury at Mopol 12, was said to have supplied arms and ammunition to bandits and hoodlums in Erena Community, Shiroro LGA, through his brother, according to a confession by Insp.

John Moses, attached to the Niger Government House, who has also been arrested.

Operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have taken the suspects to Abuja for further investigation.

The armoury where the audit took place is electronically controlled, with Isah as the only officer having access.

Officers who accompanied him during the audit have been arrested and may face orderly room trials.

At least four other police officers linked to the late DSP are also under interrogation.

Investigations revealed that Isah reportedly owned multiple vehicles and houses in Minna, raising questions about his sources of income.