A serving Police Inspector attached to the Niger State Government House, Minna, has died in police custody amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged supply of arms and ammunition to bandits operating in parts of the state.
The officer, Inspector John Moses, an indigene of Shiroro Local Government Area, was arrested and detained alongside other suspects over allegations bordering on illegal arms diversion. He died on Sunday while in custody, making him the second police officer to die within one week in connection with the same investigation.
Police sources confirmed that Inspector Moses was being held in a detention facility separate from other officers earlier arrested in the probe. His death occurred while investigations were still ongoing. Authorities said circumstances surrounding the incident are being reviewed internally.
The development follows the death of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Isah Abdullahi, the Officer in Charge of the Mopol 12 armoury located at the B Division on Paikoro Road, Minna. DSP Abdullahi died last week during an audit of arms and ammunition after discrepancies were discovered in the armoury records.
The Niger State Police Command had commenced an internal audit after several firearms and ammunition were reportedly unaccounted for. The exercise led to the arrest of multiple police personnel, including DSP Abdullahi and Inspector Moses, over suspected links to arms trafficking networks supplying criminal groups.
Security sources said the investigation uncovered alleged diversion of police-issued weapons to bandits operating in parts of Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government areas, which have witnessed repeated attacks and kidnappings in recent years.
Preliminary findings, according to sources familiar with the probe, also raised questions about the financial activities of some of the suspects. However, investigators stressed that conclusions had not yet been reached.
Reacting to reports circulating on social media regarding Inspector Moses’ alleged wealth and business interests, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, cautioned against speculation.
“The case is under investigation by higher authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser. Some of the claims being circulated are speculative and should not be treated as established facts,” Abiodun said.
Following the death of DSP Abdullahi, the police command also detained members of the audit team for questioning, as part of efforts to determine whether due procedures were followed.
The back-to-back deaths have heightened public concern over internal accountability within the Nigeria Police Force, particularly as the country continues to battle the proliferation of illegal arms and worsening insecurity across the North-Central and North-West regions.
Authorities say investigations into the alleged arms diversion network are ongoing, and further actions will be taken based on the outcome of the probe.
More details are expected as security agencies continue their investigations.
