Police authorities in Niger State have detained officers tasked with an internal arms audit following the death of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) under investigation for allegedly supplying ammunition to criminals.
The Niger State Police Command said the detained officers were being investigated for negligence after DSP Abdullahi Isah, attached to Mopol 12 under the B Division Police Command, Paikoro Road, Minna, died during a routine audit.
Isah had been arrested on December 15, 2025, on suspicion of supplying ammunition to bandits. A specialized audit team from Abuja was subsequently dispatched to Minna to conduct a standard annual inspection of arms and ammunition, prompted by a tip-off.
During the audit, the team reportedly discovered discrepancies involving 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. While the inspection was ongoing, Isah allegedly retrieved a pistol from his office and shot himself, dying instantly.
Confirming the incident, Niger State Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun told PUNCH, “On December 16, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, DSP Abdullahi Isah, initially arrested for suspected illegal ammunition dealings, was taken to his office for a routine arms audit. Unfortunately, he shot himself in the head with a pistol from his office and died on the spot. The officers responsible for the audit have been arrested for negligence. Investigations are ongoing.”
Abiodun clarified that the 13 AK-47 rifles were not confirmed missing, stressing that the audit is ongoing and it was too early to conclude any arms were unaccounted for.
Police sources further revealed that Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House, had also been arrested. Moses reportedly admitted that Isah supplied him with weapons and ammunition, which were then sold to bandits and hoodlums in Erena Community, Shiroro Local Government Area, through his brother.
Shiroro has long suffered repeated bandit attacks, forcing many residents to flee amid fears of abduction and violence.
