A serving Police Inspector has reportedly taken his own life while in detention in Niger State, following his arrest over allegations of supplying arms and ammunition to bandits terrorizing the region.
Second Police Officer Death in a Week
The deceased officer, identified as Inspector John Moses, was an indigene of Shiroro Local Government Area and was attached to the Niger State Government House in Minna. His death occurred on Sunday inside a detention cell where he was being held alongside other suspected criminals.
Tragically, this incident comes barely one week after another senior police officer, DSP Isah Abdullahi, the Officer in Charge of the Mopol 12 armoury in Minna, also shot and killed himself over similar allegations of illegal arms deals with bandits and hoodlums in the state.
Details of the Incident and Ongoing Investigation
According to reports, the late Inspector John Moses was arrested alongside four other police personnel, including DSP Abdullahi. While the DSP was held in a separate facility, Inspector Moses was detained with other suspects linked to the alleged arms network.
A source familiar with the case revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered over one hundred million naira in the deceased inspector's bank account. The investigation is still ongoing to determine the full scope of his activities and assets.
Beyond the substantial funds in his account, Inspector Moses was alleged to own properties within the state and operated a timber business. He was also said to own two sawmills and a number of tree-cutting machines involved in illegal logging, employing over 50 staff.
A Tragic End in Detention
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday when the inspector, while in the cell with other detainees, was said to have repeatedly hit his head against the wall of the detention room before slumping and dying. Other criminals in the cell reportedly watched as the event transpired.
When contacted for comment on the series of events, the state police command's Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, declined to provide detailed confirmation. He stated, "These are mere speculations, the case is under the National Security Adviser (NSA)."
These back-to-back incidents involving police officers accused of complicity with bandits have raised serious concerns about corruption and the infiltration of security apparatus by criminal elements in Niger State and the wider region.
