Following the signs, his unit commander had reportedly ordered that his service rifle be withdrawn and kept in the armoury at the Sarkin-Pawa police division

By Afolabi Ayodele

A police inspector identified as Bassey Asuquo has taken his own life in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 1:59am on Wednesday, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication.

Asuquo, a member of the 28 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Umuahia, Abia State, was said to be on a special assignment in the area when the incident happened.

Sources told the publication that the officer had been exhibiting unusual behaviour prior to the suicide.

Following the signs, his unit commander had reportedly ordered that his service rifle be withdrawn and kept in the armoury at the Sarkin-Pawa police division.

However, Asuquo allegedly managed to take a rifle belonging to a colleague who was asleep and shot himself in the head.

His remains have since been deposited at a nearby morgue.

Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said an investigation has commenced.

“The report is true. The command has commenced an investigation into the matter,” Abiodun stated.

This marks the second case of police suicide in Niger State in the past four months.

On February 8, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shafi’u Bawa, attached to the 61 Police Mobile Force, was found hanging in his room in Kontagora LGA.