Police DSP Dies After Shooting Self During Probe Over Alleged Arms Supply to Bandits

A Deputy Superintendent of Police attached to the Mobile Police Force, Mopol 12, in Niger State has died after shooting himself during an investigation into the alleged diversion of arms and ammunition to bandits operating in the state.

The officer, identified as Isah Abdullahi, also known as Kunkuri, was the officer in charge of the Mopol 12 armoury located within the B Division premises of the Niger State Police Command along Paikoro Road, Minna. He was under investigation following an annual audit of arms and ammunition conducted by a team of detectives from Abuja.

According to reports, the audit revealed discrepancies in the armoury records, with several rounds of ammunition missing. Preliminary findings allegedly indicated that 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition could not be accounted for. Investigators were said to be auditing the AK-47 section of the armoury when the incident occurred.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Inspector John Moses, who was attached to the Niger State Government House in Minna. During interrogation, Moses allegedly confessed that the late DSP supplied him with arms and ammunition, which were later delivered to bandits and other criminal elements operating in Erena community in Shiroro Local Government Area. He was also said to have revealed that the weapons were sold through his brother, an indigene of the area who allegedly served as an intermediary and informant for the armed groups.

Following these developments, operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser reportedly moved into Minna and transferred the suspects to Abuja for further interrogation. The DSP was later returned to Minna and taken to the armoury for a physical audit of weapons and ammunition.

During the exercise, he reportedly brought out boxes that were meant to contain ammunition but were found to be empty. In the process, he allegedly accessed a pistol within the armoury and shot himself, dying on the spot. Investigators said he could not be restrained in time because the armoury operates an electronic access control system, with access reportedly restricted to him.

In the aftermath, officers who escorted him to the armoury were immediately arrested and are facing an orderly room trial over alleged negligence. Four other policemen attached to the deceased officer have also been taken into custody for interrogation. A special security team from the Office of the National Security Adviser has since taken over the armoury and is currently guarding the facility.

Confirming the incident, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, said Inspector John Moses remains under investigation at the NSA office in Abuja. He added that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the DSP’s death.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the officer was initially arrested on December 15, 2025, over suspected illegal dealings in ammunition. He added that other officers indicted during the audit had been arrested for negligence, stressing that investigations into the missing weapons and the wider arms supply network are ongoing.