Malik Yahya/
A Deputy Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Isah, who was under investigation for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to bandits in Niger State, has reportedly taken his own life during an official arms audit, police authorities have confirmed.
Isah, attached to Police Mobile Force 12 in Minna, was said to have shot himself in the head while a routine audit of weapons was being conducted at the unit’s armoury on December 16.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command spokesman, Superintendent of Police Abiodun Wasiu, said the officer had been arrested a day earlier over suspected involvement in illegal ammunition dealings.
According to Wasiu, Isah was taken to his office at about 2.30pm on December 16 for a physical audit of arms.
During the process, he allegedly picked up a pistol from within the office and shot himself, dying instantly.
Investigations preceding the incident had reportedly uncovered serious irregularities in the armoury under Isah’s control.
Sources told the News Agency of Nigeria that an audit revealed 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition missing or unaccounted for, limited to the AK-47 section of the armoury.
Further enquiries allegedly linked the missing weapons to criminal activities in parts of the state.
An inspector, John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House, was arrested and reportedly confessed that Isah supplied him with arms and ammunition, which were allegedly sold to bandits and hoodlums operating in Erena community, Shiroro Local Government Area, through his brother.
Operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser were said to have taken the suspects to Abuja for further interrogation before Isah was returned to Minna for the armoury audit during which he died.
Police sources said the armoury is electronically controlled and that Isah, who served as Head of Armoury at PMF 12, was the only officer with authorised access.
Officers assigned to accompany him during the audit have since been arrested for negligence and are expected to face an orderly room trial.
At least four other police officers linked to the case are also reportedly being interrogated as investigations continue.
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