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By Lizzy Chirkpi
A Deputy Superintendent of Police, Isah Abdullahi, popularly called Kunkuri and attached to MOPOL 12 in Minna, Niger State, has reportedly died by suicide amid an ongoing investigation into illegal arms supply to bandits and criminal gangs operating in the state.
Abdullahi, who was the officer in charge of the MOPOL armoury, allegedly shot himself in the head on Tuesday while detectives were conducting a physical audit of weapons under his care.
The tragedy unfolded after investigators from Abuja uncovered serious discrepancies in the armoury records, including the disappearance of 13 AK-47 rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The missing weapons were traced to alleged illegal sales to bandits in Erena, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Their discovery led to the arrest of Inspector John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House, who reportedly confessed that Abdullahi supplied him with weapons meant for delivery to criminal gangs in the area. Moses also named his brother believed to informant for the bandits as the intermediary.
As investigations deepened, both suspects were transferred to Abuja by operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Abdullahi was later returned to the armoury for further inspection when the incident occurred.
According to police sources, the DSP took advantage of his exclusive access to the electronic armoury controls, picked a pistol, and shot himself dead at the scene.
Confirming the development, Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, stated that Inspector Moses is currently undergoing further interrogation under the supervision of ONSA operatives.
Elleman said Abdullahi “smartly brought out a pistol and shot himself when empty ammunition boxes were discovered.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed that the officer ended his life while under investigation for alleged illegal ammunition dealings.
According to Abiodun,
“On December 16, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, one DSP Abdullahi Isah, attached to 12 PMF Minna, who was initially arrested on 15th December for being suspected of involvement in illegal dealings of ammunition, was taken to his office for a routine arms audit. Unfortunately, while the audit process was ongoing, the said officer shot himself in the head through a pistol he picked up within the office and died on the spot.”
He further disclosed that officers present during the audit were arrested for negligence, saying:
“Meanwhile, the policemen who were detailed along for the audit and investigation activities were arrested for negligence in the line of duty, for allowing such a situation to occur. Further investigation is in progress at Paiko Road Police Station, Minna.”
The armoury has since been placed under 24-hour guard by ONSA operatives, while an autopsy is scheduled to confirm the exact cause of death.
Sources also alleged that Abdullahi owned several properties and vehicles, raising further questions about his finances.
Investigators say the probe will continue as authorities work to fully uncover the network behind the illegal arms supply chain.