UPDATED: Kaduna Police Armourer detained for gun-running “commits suicide”

The officer in charge of police armoury in Kaduna, deputy superintendent Nanbol Audu who was recently arrested for selling firearms to criminals and prominent people has shot himself to death. The officer was arrested together with one Zingkur Joseph of Trade Centre Jos, and Samuel Adamu of Kuru Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State […]

The officer in charge of police armoury in Kaduna, deputy superintendent Nanbol Audu who was recently arrested for selling firearms to criminals and prominent people has shot himself to death.

The officer was arrested together with one Zingkur Joseph of Trade Centre Jos, and Samuel Adamu of Kuru Jos-South Local Government Area of Plateau State stealing police guns. Police said one of the suspects arrested with officer Audu was a local gun maker.

They were arrested with firearms hidden in a car including eleven G3 rifles, police commissioner Umar Shehu has said adding that Joseph and Adamu were emissaries of other people sent to Kaduna with the sum of N400, 000 to buy guns illegally. Police confirmed that local chiefs and other prominent people were among the people buying arms from suspects.

According to officials, officer Audu was held at a police detention facility in Kaduna pending the completion of investigation. While in detention, he collected a gun from a patrol officer and shot himself in the tummy at about 5:40am  this morning.

Commissioner Shehu confirmed that Audu actually committed suicide and did not leave any written message to explain his intention adding that some police officers on duty provided him with the rifle he used in killing himself.

“It is true the officer killed himself this morning  at about 5:40am. The incidence occurred in one of our offices. Some police officers on duty gave him a gun and while they were not with him, he shot himself in the stomach. They heard the sound of gunshot and rushed back but found him dead. Three officers have been arrested in connection with the incidence.”

Mr. Shehu said preliminary investigation indicated that Audu shot himself without any explanations but police are still looking for details. He also ruled out murder in the inquiry.