Minna, Niger State – 18th December 2025: A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Isah Abdullahi, attached to Mopol 12 in Niger State, has reportedly shot himself dead amid allegations of involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to bandits and hoodlums across the state.
Until his death, DSP Abdullahi, also known as Kunkuri, served as head of the armoury at Mopol 12, located within the B Division of Niger State Police Command, Paikoro Road, Minna.
Trouble for the late DSP began when a team of detectives from Abuja visited Mopol 12 for the annual routine audit of arms and ammunition. Preliminary investigations revealed that several caches were missing or unaccounted for, including:
• 13 AK-47 rifles
• Over 2,000 rounds of ammunition
The audit focused primarily on the AK-47 section of the armoury before the incident occurred.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Police Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House in Minna, who confessed that DSP Abdullahi supplied him with arms and ammunition for onward delivery to bandits in Erena community, Shiroro Local Government Area.
Moses revealed that the weapons were sold through his brother, an indigene of the area who reportedly served as an informant to the criminals.
Operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) subsequently seized the suspects and transported them to Abuja for further interrogation.
DSP Abdullahi was brought from Abuja to Mopol 12 for physical auditing of the armoury. During the process, he reportedly grabbed a pistol and shot himself in the head, dying instantly.
The officer could not be handcuffed, as the armoury is electronically controlled, with only the DSP authorized to operate its locking system, giving him the opportunity to access the weapon.
Following the incident:
• Officers who accompanied the DSP to the armoury were immediately arrested and are facing orderly room trials for alleged negligence.
• Four other officers attached to the deceased DSP have also been detained for interrogation.
• A special NSA team now guards the armoury 24/7 pending resolution of security protocols.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adamu Elleman, confirmed the incident, stating that Inspector John Moses remains under investigation at the NSA headquarters in Abuja.
“The deceased smartly brought out a pistol and shot himself when he started bringing out boxes that were supposed to contain ammunition and they were all empty,” Mr. Elleman said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that DSP Abdullahi was initially arrested on 15 December 2025 on suspicion of illegal dealings in ammunition. While the audit was ongoing the following day, he took his life within the armoury.
“The policemen detailed for the audit and investigation were arrested for negligence in the line of duty, to have allowed such a situation to occur. Further investigation is ongoing,” DSP Abiodun stated.
Reports also indicate that the late DSP owned at least two houses in choice areas of Minna and multiple vehicles, raising further questions about his sources of income.
This tragic incident underscores the serious challenges of internal security and accountability within Nigeria’s police force. Investigators now face the dual task of:
• Tracing missing arms and ammunition
• Ensuring procedural and operational lapses do not recur
Security analysts warn that unregulated access to police armouries can exacerbate banditry and criminal activity, making the thorough investigation by the NSA and police essential for public safety.
