Police Arrest Audit Team After DPO’s Suicide During Arms Investigation

The Niger State Police Command has arrested all officers assigned to audit and investigate allegations of arms dealing against a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), DSP Abdullahi Isah, following his alleged suicide during the audit exercise.

The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the development in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, stating that the officers were detained for negligence in the line of duty, having allegedly allowed the suspect to access a firearm while under investigation.

DSP Abdullahi Isah, who served as Head of Armoury at Mopol 12 under the B Division Police Command, Paikoro Road, Minna, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of supplying arms and ammunition to bandits.

According to findings, the audit team travelled from Abuja to Minna to conduct a routine annual audit of arms and ammunition following a tip-off. During the exercise, it was discovered that several weapons and ammunition could not be immediately accounted for, prompting further scrutiny.

While the audit was ongoing, Isah allegedly picked a pistol from his office and shot himself in the head, dying instantly.

In a related development, another officer, Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House, was also arrested in connection with the case. Moses reportedly confessed that the late 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.

Shiroro Local Government Area has remained a major hotspot for bandit attacks in Niger State, with repeated incidents of abductions forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Providing clarification on the incident, Abiodun said:

“On December 16, 2025, at about 2:30pm, DSP Abdullahi Isah attached to Mopol 12 Minna, who was initially arrested on December 15 on suspicion of illegal ammunition dealings, was taken to his office for a routine arms audit.

Unfortunately, during the audit, the officer shot himself in the head with a pistol he picked from the office and died on the spot. The policemen detailed for the audit and investigation were arrested for negligence in the line of duty, having allowed such a situation to occur. Further investigation is in progress.”

Abiodun added that reports claiming 13 AK-47 rifles were missing had not been confirmed, stressing that the audit was still ongoing.

“The 13 AK-47 rifles are not confirmed missing. The audit is ongoing, and it is too early to conclude that such a number of arms are unaccounted for. He is suspected of illegal dealings in ammunition, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.

The police command assured the public that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and bring all culpable individuals to justice.