THE Niger State Police Command has confirmed the death of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Abdullahi Isah, during an internal arms audit linked to an investigation into missing firearms and ammunition at the 12 Police Mobile Force (PMF) unit in Minna.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Abiodun Wasiu, confirmed the incident on Friday while speaking with News Point Nigeria, stating that the officer died during a routine audit exercise connected to an ongoing probe.
According to the police, DSP Isah, who was attached to 12PMF Minna, had earlier been taken into custody on December 15 over suspicions of involvement in illegal dealings related to ammunition.
Wasiu explained that the following day, December 16, at about 2:30 p.m., the officer was escorted to his office for a standard physical audit of arms under his responsibility.
“Unfortunately, while the audit process was ongoing, the officer sustained a fatal self-inflicted injury,” Wasiu said, adding that he was confirmed dead at the scene.
The police spokesperson said officers assigned to oversee the audit and investigation have been arrested for negligence in the line of duty, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation.
“Those detailed for the audit and investigation failed in their responsibility and have been taken into custody. Further investigations are ongoing,” Wasiu said.
Meanwhile, findings from the audit reportedly revealed that 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition were missing or unaccounted for from the armoury under DSP Isah’s supervision. The discrepancies were said to be limited to the AK-47 section of the armoury.
Sources familiar with the investigation told News Point Nigeria that DSP Isah was the Head of the Armoury at Mopol 12, a position that granted him exclusive access to the electronically controlled facility.
‘And the officer blew his head off with a rifle during the probe’, the source told this newspaper.
Investigations also reportedly led to the arrest of an inspector, John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House.
The officer was alleged to have admitted receiving arms and ammunition supplied through the late DSP, which were reportedly diverted to criminal elements operating in Erena Community, Shiroro Local Government Area.
It was further gathered that operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) took over parts of the investigation and transferred some suspects to Abuja for further interrogation.
DSP Isah was later brought back to Minna for a physical audit of the armoury, during which the fatal incident occurred.
Police authorities said officers who escorted him during the audit have been detained and are expected to face orderly room trials for negligence and breach of operational procedures.
At least four other police personnel allegedly linked to the matter are also being questioned as investigations continue to trace the missing weapons and identify all those involved.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that investigators are examining the financial profile of the deceased, including ownership of multiple properties and vehicles in Minna, as part of the broader probe.
The Niger State Police Command has assured the public that the investigation will be thorough and transparent, stressing that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.