Police orderly allegedly dies by suicide in Port Harcourt
By: Zagazola Makama
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the death of a police inspector who allegedly shot himself in the head in what is suspected to be a suicide.
The incident occurred on April 22 at about 7:45 a.m. and was reported by Hon. Victor Ihunwo, former Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, at the Azikiwe Police Division.
According to police sources, Ihunwo, one of his security details, Insp. Alexander Gift, informed him that he heard a gunshot and subsequently discovered that another police officer, Insp. Maxwell Wesley Zabo, had shot himself using his service Tokarev pistol.
Police responded swiftly and rushed the victim to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
Recovered from the scene were the Tokarev pistol, an extra magazine, an expended shell casing, and the inspector’s personal mobile phone.
Further investigations revealed that prior to the incident, the deceased had called his cousin, SP Mu’azu of Asarama Division, and other relatives, telling them he was seriously ill and might die.
He reportedly instructed them to prepare his grave and take care of his family, and also informed them where to find his property and documents. Efforts to reach him afterward were unsuccessful as he did not answer repeated calls.
Police sources said that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, for discreet investigation.
