A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Isah Abdullahi, popularly known as Kunkuri and attached to the 12 Police Mobile Force (MOPOL 12), Minna, Niger State, has died during an internal investigation into alleged arms diversion within the command.
The incident occurred amid ongoing probes linking the senior officer to the alleged supply of arms and ammunition to bandits and other criminal elements operating in parts of the state.
The crisis reportedly began during a routine audit of the MOPOL 12 armoury conducted by detectives from Abuja, during which 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition were found to be missing.
Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of an Inspector, John Moses, attached to the Niger State Government House. Moses was said to have confessed to receiving arms from the late DSP for onward delivery to bandits operating in Erena, Shiroro Local Government Area. He allegedly identified his brother, described as an informant to the criminals, as an intermediary in the transactions.
Following these developments, the suspects were transferred to Abuja by operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for further investigation.
Sources disclosed that as the probe intensified, Abdullahi was returned from Abuja to the Minna armoury for a physical audit. During the exercise, he reportedly discharged a service pistol and died on the spot. The armoury’s electronic control system, said to be accessible only to the deceased officer, reportedly played a role in the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In the aftermath, officers who were on duty at the time were arrested for alleged negligence and are facing Orderly Room Trial, while at least four other police personnel linked to the matter are currently being interrogated.
Confirming the development, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, said Inspector Moses remains under investigation by ONSA. He noted that the incident occurred during the discovery of empty ammunition boxes at the armoury.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the death, stating that DSP Abdullahi died during an investigation into his alleged involvement in illegal ammunition dealings.
According to the statement, the officer, who had been arrested on December 15, 2025, was taken to his office on December 16 for a routine arms audit when the incident occurred.
Abiodun added that the officers detailed to accompany the audit team have been arrested for negligence, while further investigations are ongoing at the Paiko Road Police Station, Minna.
Meanwhile, a special ONSA team has taken over security of the armoury on a 24-hour basis, and an autopsy is expected to be conducted as authorities work to unravel the full scope of the alleged arms diversion network.
Sources also revealed that the late officer was known to own multiple properties and vehicles, which are now expected to form part of the ongoing investigations.
