Niger Police DSP Shoots Self Dead During Arms Audit Probe

Minna, December 19, 2025 – A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in charge of the armoury at Mopol 12 in Niger State shot himself dead on Wednesday during a routine arms audit, as investigators uncovered missing AK-47 rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition allegedly supplied to bandits.

DSP Isah Abdullahi, popularly known as Kunkuri, headed the armoury at Mopol 12, located within B Division of the Niger State Police Command on Paikoro Road in Minna. The incident unfolded when a team of detectives from Abuja arrived for the annual audit of weapons and ammunition. Preliminary checks revealed glaring discrepancies: 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition were unaccounted for.

Only the AK-47 section had been audited at that point, but the findings triggered deeper scrutiny. Police Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House in Minna, was arrested and confessed to receiving arms from DSP Abdullahi. Moses admitted passing the weapons—via his brother, a local informant—to bandits in the Erena community of Shiroro Local Government Area.

Operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) intervened swiftly, raiding Minna and transferring suspects to Abuja for interrogation. DSP Abdullahi was brought back to the armoury for a physical stocktaking. In a tragic turn, he seized a pistol from the racks—possible because he alone controlled the electronic locking mechanism—and shot himself in the head, dying instantly.

The accompanying officers faced immediate arrest, now undergoing orderly room trials for negligence and potential manslaughter. Four additional officers under DSP Abdullahi’s command are in custody and being questioned. A special NSA team now guards the armoury around the clock until access issues are resolved.

Wealth and Lifestyle Under Scrutiny
Sources revealed DSP Abdullahi owned at least two prime properties in Minna and several vehicles, raising questions about the source of his wealth amid the arms scandal. Niger State Police Commissioner Adamu Elleman confirmed the events, noting Inspector Moses remains in NSA custody in Abuja.

Recounting the suicide, Elleman said: “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.” An autopsy is underway to verify the cause of death.

Command Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun provided a timeline: DSP Abdullahi was arrested on December 15 for suspected illegal ammunition dealings. On December 16 at about 2:30 pm, during the audit in his office, he grabbed a pistol and died on the spot. “The policemen detailed for the audit were arrested for negligence,” Abiodun added, emphasizing ongoing investigations.

Broader Context of Banditry and Police Corruption
This scandal hits hard in Niger State, a hotspot for banditry in Nigeria’s North-Central region. Shiroro LGA, including Erena, has seen relentless attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling, with bandits often armed with sophisticated weapons like AK-47s. Recent reports from security analysts highlight how internal police complicity fuels insecurity, echoing similar cases in Zamfara and Kaduna where officers faced prosecution for arms proliferation.

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No official NSA statement has been released as of this morning, but the probe underscores President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s push against corruption in security agencies. Last month, the Inspector-General of Police ordered nationwide arms audits following similar thefts in Plateau State.

The Niger Command vows full cooperation, with Elleman assuring the public of transparency. Families and communities in bandit-ravaged areas demand swift justice to restore trust in law enforcement.