Niger State Police Command has been thrown into shock following the death of a senior officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Isah Abdullahi, popularly known as Kunkuri, who reportedly shot himself inside the armoury under his supervision in Minna.
Abdullahi, attached to Mobile Police Force (MOPOL) 12, allegedly took his own life amid investigations linking him to the illegal supply of firearms and ammunition to bandits operating in parts of Niger State.
The incident reportedly unfolded during a routine audit of the MOPOL 12 armoury conducted by detectives from Abuja. Sources familiar with the probe disclosed that the audit uncovered serious discrepancies, including the disappearance of 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition.
Investigations reportedly led to the arrest of Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House. The inspector was said to have confessed that Abdullahi supplied him with weapons meant for bandits operating in Erena community, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. Further inquiries also pointed to the involvement of a middleman allegedly connected to criminal networks within the state.
Police sources said tension rose during a physical verification of the armoury when empty ammunition boxes were discovered. It was at that point, investigators said, that Abdullahi allegedly picked up a pistol and shot himself in the head.
Confirming the development, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, said the officer took advantage of the situation during the audit. “He (Abdullahi) smartly brought out a pistol and shot himself when empty ammunition boxes were discovered,” Elleman stated.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said immediate steps had been taken to contain the situation and deepen the investigation. He disclosed that officers who were present during the audit had been arrested for negligence, while four other police personnel linked to Abdullahi are currently under investigation.
Abiodun also revealed that a special security team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has taken over the guarding of the armoury to prevent further compromise. He added that an autopsy would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile, emerging details about Abdullahi’s lifestyle, including ownership of multiple properties and vehicles, have raised further questions about the scale of his alleged involvement in illegal arms dealings.
Police authorities insist that investigations into the matter are ongoing, as the command vows to unravel the full network behind the missing weapons and ensure accountability within its ranks.
