A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) attached to Mobile Police Force (Mopol) 12 in Niger State has died while in custody following his arrest over allegations of involvement in the illegal supply of arms and ammunition to bandits operating in the state.
The officer, identified as Isah Abdullahi, popularly known as Kunkuri, was until his death the officer in charge of the armoury at Mopol 12, located within the premises of the B Division Police Command along Paikoro Road in Minna.
According to police sources, the matter came to light during a routine annual audit of arms and ammunition conducted by a team of detectives from Abuja. Preliminary findings reportedly showed that several weapons and a large quantity of ammunition were missing from the armoury.
Investigations were said to have intensified after a police inspector attached to the Niger State Government House was arrested and allegedly made statements linking the missing weapons to criminal elements in Shiroro Local Government Area. The case prompted the involvement of operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), who took over parts of the investigation.
Police authorities confirmed that the DSP was later brought back to Minna to assist with a physical audit of the armoury. However, he died during the process under circumstances that are now the subject of an ongoing investigation.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, confirmed the incident, stating that an autopsy would be conducted to establish the exact cause of death. He also confirmed that investigations into the alleged arms diversion are continuing.
Meanwhile, several officers connected to the armoury and audit exercise have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation. Those involved in escort and oversight duties at the time of the incident are also facing internal disciplinary procedures for alleged negligence.
The police command said security has been tightened around the armoury, with a special team deployed to guard the facility pending further directives.
The Niger State Police Command has assured the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable will be held accountable, as efforts continue to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and insecurity in the state.