A senior police officer in Niger State has died by suicide after investigators allegedly uncovered his involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to bandits terrorising parts of the state, security sources confirmed on Thursday.
The officer, a Deputy Superintendent of Police attached to the Mobile Police Force, reportedly took his life inside the MOPOL 12 armoury in Minna during an ongoing probe into missing weapons linked to criminal groups operating in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Investigations reportedly began after detectives from Abuja arrived in Niger State to conduct a routine annual audit of arms and ammunition under the control of the mobile police unit.
During the verification exercise, significant gaps were allegedly discovered in the armoury’s records.
According to security officials familiar with the audit, several weapons could not be accounted for, including about 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of live ammunition. The discrepancies immediately triggered an expanded investigation.
Moreover, the probe led to the arrest of Inspector John Moses, an officer attached to the Niger State Government House.
During interrogation, Moses allegedly admitted receiving arms from the late DSP Abdullahi and delivering them to bandits operating around the Erena axis of Shiroro.
Investigators said the weapons were allegedly sold through a close family connection, who acted as a liaison between the police officer and the armed groups.
“What we uncovered pointed to a coordinated channel supplying weapons to criminals in the area,” a security source said.
Following these revelations, operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser reportedly took over the case, arresting the suspects and transferring them to Abuja for further questioning.
Subsequently, the late DSP was returned to Minna and escorted to the MOPOL 12 armoury for a physical audit of the missing weapons. During the process, he reportedly accessed a firearm and shot himself.
Investigators said attempts to stop him were unsuccessful due to the armoury’s electronic access system, which allegedly allowed only him to retrieve weapons. “He reached the pistol before anyone could intervene,” a source said.
In the aftermath, officers who escorted him to the armoury were arrested and are now facing an orderly room trial over alleged negligence. In addition, four policemen attached to the deceased officer have been taken into custody for further interrogation.
Confirming the incident, Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, said the matter remained under investigation and that an autopsy would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
“During the audit, empty boxes meant to contain ammunition were discovered,” Elleman said. “In the course of the verification, the officer suddenly produced a pistol and fired.”
Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the officer had been arrested earlier over suspected illegal ammunition dealings.
“He was taken into custody on December 15 based on intelligence reports linking him to unlawful handling of ammunition,” Abiodun said. “The investigation was still ongoing when the incident occurred.”
Meanwhile, a special security team from the NSA has taken control of the armoury and is currently guarding the facility, as authorities insist the investigation into the alleged collaboration between security personnel and bandits will be pursued to its logical conclusion.