A senior police officer in Niger State has taken his own life following his arrest for allegedly supplying weapons to criminal gangs terrorizing the state. The incident has sent shockwaves through the security establishment and raised serious questions about internal complicity.
The Arrest and Allegations
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Isah Abdullahi, also known as Kunkuri, was attached to the Mobile Police Squadron 12 (Mopol 12) in Minna. His ordeal began when a team of detectives from Abuja arrived at his base for the annual audit of arms and ammunition.
During the routine check, auditors discovered significant discrepancies. Preliminary findings revealed that 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2000 rounds of live ammunition were missing and could not be accounted for. DSP Abdullahi, who was the head of the Mopol 12 armoury located within the B Division police command on Paikoro Road, became the prime suspect.
The investigation widened with the arrest of Police Inspector John Moses, who was attached to the Niger State Government House. Under interrogation, Inspector Moses confessed that the late DSP supplied him with arms and ammunition. He stated that these weapons were meant for onward delivery to bandits operating in the Erena community of Shiroro Local Government Area.
Inspector Moses further disclosed that the illicit arms were sold to the bandits through his brother, a local indigene who also acted as an informant for the criminals. Following these confessions, operatives from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) moved into Minna and took the suspects to Abuja for further questioning.
The Tragic Incident at the Armoury
DSP Isah Abdullahi was later brought back from Abuja to the Mopol 12 armoury for a physical audit of the weapons. The armoury, which hosts various categories of firearms, had only its AK-47 section audited before the tragedy unfolded.
According to accounts, the situation turned fatal when the DSP, while presenting boxes that were supposed to contain ammunition, found them empty. He then reportedly grabbed a pistol from within the armoury and shot himself in the head, dying instantly on the spot on December 16, 2025, at about 2:30 PM.
A critical factor that enabled his action was the specialized security of the armoury. It was electronically controlled, and only DSP Abdullahi had the mechanism to open it. Because he could not be handcuffed inside the secure room, he had the opportunity to access the firearm before anyone could intervene.
Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
The immediate aftermath of the suicide saw the arrest of the police officers who accompanied DSP Abdullahi to the armoury. They are currently facing an orderly room trial for alleged negligence and murder. Additionally, four police officers attached to the deceased DSP have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, confirmed the incident. He described how the deceased officer “smartly brought out a pistol and shot himself” during the audit. CP Elleman added that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
In a statement, the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, provided a timeline. He stated that DSP Abdullahi Isah was initially arrested on December 15, 2025, on suspicion of illegal ammunition dealings. He was taken for the audit the following day when the suicide occurred.
The case has exposed potential deep-rooted corruption. Informed sources revealed that the deceased DSP owned at least two houses in choice areas of Minna and a number of cars, raising questions about the source of his wealth.
Currently, a special team from the NSA's office is guarding the sealed armoury 24 hours a day until a solution for accessing it is found. Inspector John Moses remains in custody, facing continued investigations at the office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
