Police inspector commits suicide in Niger state

Bassey Asuquo, a police inspector, has taken his own life in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA of Niger state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred around 1:59am on Wednesday.

Makama said Asuquo, a member of the 28 police mobile force (PMF) in Umuahia, Abia state, was deployed to the area on special assignment.

Citing sources, the publication said the officer had been exhibiting strange behaviour prior to the incident.

As a precaution, his unit commander reportedly ordered that his service rifle be withdrawn and secured in the armoury at the Sarkin-Pawa police division.

Makama said Asuquo allegedly got hold of the rifle of a colleague who was asleep at the time and shot himself in the head.

The publication added that his body has been deposited in a nearby morgue.

Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger police command, confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway.

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

This is the second reported case of suicide involving a police officer in Niger state within a four-month span.

On February 8, Shafi’u Bawa, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) attached to the 61 police mobile force, was found hanging from his room ceiling in Kontagora LGA of the state.