Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a sudden and tragic development that has shocked security circles in southeastern Nigeria, a senior police officer serving with the Ebonyi State Police Command collapsed and died during an official management meeting in the state capital, Abakaliki. The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, leaving colleagues and subordinates in mourning and raising concerns about the demanding pressures faced by law enforcement personnel.
The officer has been identified as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon‑Inu Taiwo Popoola, who until his passing was the head of the State Intelligence Department (SID) at the Ebonyi Police Command. ACP Popoola was attending a routine senior staff meeting at about 10:30 a.m. when he suddenly began experiencing difficulty breathing and collapsed in the presence of colleagues.
Eyewitnesses say the meeting had been underway at the Police Headquarters in Abakaliki when ACP Popoola appeared to struggle with breathing and was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre located within the command’s facilities. Despite the urgent efforts of medical personnel to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Preliminary medical reports suggest that the cause of death was a cardiac arrest linked to hypertensive heart disease, according to sources familiar with the circumstances. While the officer had not been publicly known to be ill, health officials believe that underlying conditions may have contributed to the sudden collapse.
Following confirmation of his death, ACP Popoola’s remains were transferred to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE‑FUTHA 1) mortuary in Abakaliki, where further formalities are underway prior to burial arrangements.
The Ebonyi State Police Command, through its spokesperson Joshua Ukandu, officially announced the loss and paid tribute to the late officer’s service. In the statement, Ukandu described ACP Popoola as a dedicated and professional law enforcement officer whose commitment to duty had earned him respect across the command. The spokesman also expressed condolences on behalf of the Commissioner of Police and the entire Ebonyi Command to the grieving family.
ACP Popoola’s death comes at a time when security forces across Nigeria are under significant strain due to ongoing challenges, including rising insecurity, community tensions, and the pressures of intelligence gathering in volatile environments. Senior officers often shoulder heavy responsibilities that require long hours and intense operational focus, factors that analysts say can take a toll on personal health. His passing has nonetheless been described as sudden and unexpected by colleagues who noted he had actively participated in the morning’s discussions and showed no outward signs of illness before the collapse.
Community and police leadership in Ebonyi have joined to mourn the loss, highlighting ACP Popoola’s contributions to the state’s security apparatus. As head of the State Intelligence Department, he played a key role in gathering and analysing information crucial to maintaining law and order, particularly in areas facing criminal threats and local conflicts. His professional legacy is expected to be honoured through formal commendations and prayers organised by the police command and partner agencies.
Following the announcement, reactions on social and professional networks have reflected deep sadness, with many noting the abrupt nature of his passing and extending sympathy to his family, friends, and fellow officers. Security watchers also underscored the need for improved attention to the welfare and health services available to law enforcement personnel, particularly those in high‑pressure roles.
The Nigeria Police Force traditionally holds memorials and honours for officers who die while on duty, and arrangements are expected to be made to commemorate ACP Popoola’s service. Details on funeral arrangements and official tributes from the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja are likely to be announced in the coming days.
His death is a poignant reminder of the human cost embedded in the work of security agencies tasked with safeguarding public safety across Nigeria. As police and community leaders continue to reflect on his contributions, tributes underscore a career marked by commitment to duty amidst the ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in Ebonyi State and beyond.
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