Authorities in Minna are investigating after a DSP attached to 12PMF reportedly died by suicide during a scheduled arms audit, amid concerns over missing firearms and ammunition.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed that Deputy Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Isah, was initially arrested on December 15 on suspicion of involvement in illegal dealings with ammunition. On December 16, around 2:30 pm, he was taken to his office for a routine audit of the unit’s armoury.
During the process, Isah allegedly picked up a pistol and shot himself in the head, dying instantly.
The command’s spokesman, SP Abiodun Wasiu, stated that the armoury is electronically controlled, with access restricted to the DSP, and officers accompanying Isah have been arrested for negligence and are set to face an orderly room trial.
Investigations also revealed that Insp. John Moses, attached to the Niger Government House, had confessed to receiving arms and ammunition from Isah, which were reportedly sold to bandits and hoodlums in Erena Community, Shiroro LGA, through Isah’s brother. Operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser have taken suspects to Abuja for further questioning.
At least four other police officers connected to Isah are also under interrogation. Preliminary audits showed that 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition were unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about the unit’s inventory management.
Wasiu added that Isah reportedly owned multiple cars and houses in Minna, and that further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the missing arms and any potential complicity among personnel.
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