Police Inspector Dies by Suicide in Niger State

A police inspector identified as Bassey Asuquo died by suicide in the early hours of Wednesday in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident reportedly occurred around 1:59 a.m., according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region.

Asuquo was a member of the 28 Police Mobile Force (PMF) based in Umuahia, Abia State, and had been deployed to Niger State on special assignment. Prior to the incident, sources said the inspector had been showing signs of unusual behaviour, prompting his unit commander to order the withdrawal of his service rifle as a precaution. The weapon was secured in the armoury at the Sarkin-Pawa police division.

Despite the precautionary measures, Asuquo allegedly accessed a colleague’s rifle while the officer was asleep and used it to fatally shoot himself in the head. His body has since been deposited in a nearby morgue.

Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident and said an investigation is currently underway.

This marks the second reported suicide involving a police officer in Niger State within four months. On February 8, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shafi’u Bawa of the 61 PMF was found hanging from the ceiling of his room in Kontagora Local Government Area.