Dare Babalola
Tragedy struck in Minna as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Abdullahi Isah, attached to 12PMF Minna, reportedly took his own life during a routine arms inspection at 12PMF headquarters.
The incident was confirmed in statement signed by the command’s Spokesman, SP Abiodun Wasiu, on Friday.
Wasiu disclosed that Isah was initially arrested on Dec.15 “on suspicion of involvement in illegal dealings in ammunition.”
He said on December 16, around 2:30 pm, he was taken to his office for a routine arms audit.
He said that “unfortunately, while the audit process was ongoing, Isah picked a pistol from within the office and shot himself in the head, dying instantly.”
The police image maker in the state said that policemen detailed for the audit and investigation activities had been arrested “for negligence in the line of duty and allowing the situation to occur”.
Wasiu said that further investigation was ongoing.
Isah was the Head of Armoury at Mopol 12, when the audit revealed that 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition were missing or unaccounted for, covering only the AK-47 section.
Also, one Insp. John Moses, attached to the Niger Government House, was arrested and reportedly confessed that the deceased supplied him arms and ammunition sold to bandits and hoodlums in Erena Community, Shiroro LGA, through his brother.
It was further learnt that operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser took the suspects to Abuja for further investigation.
Isah was brought back and taken to the armoury for a physical audit, where he picked up a pistol and shot himself.
The armoury is electronically controlled, and only the DSP has access.
At least four other police officers, linked to the late DSP, are also being interrogated. It was alleged that the deceased owned multiple cars and houses in Minna.
