The Ebonyi State Police Command has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, who was in charge of the State Intelligence Department.
Popoola reportedly collapsed during a management meeting at the Police Command Headquarters in Abakaliki on Tuesday morning.
Eyewitnesses said the senior officer suddenly developed breathing difficulties and began gasping for air before he was rushed to the Police Medical Centre within the command premises. Despite prompt medical intervention, he was pronounced dead by attending doctors.
Preliminary medical findings indicated that Popoola died from cardiac arrest linked to hypertensive heart disease. His remains have been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AEFUTH) morgue in Abakaliki.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Joshua Ukandu, described the death as unexpected.
“Yes, one of them had a crisis during a meeting and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive.
He was not sick before the incident. If he were sick, he wouldn’t have attended the meeting,” Ukandu said.
Ukandu described the late officer as a dedicated and committed professional, noting that his death was a major loss to the command.
“The late Popoola served the Nigeria Police Force with commitment and professionalism,” he added.
The sudden passing of the intelligence chief has left officers and personnel of the command deeply shocked, with colleagues mourning the loss of a senior officer who played a critical role in the state’s security operations.
Similar Incident Reported Earlier This Year
In a related incident earlier this year, Inspector Stephen Enang reportedly collapsed and died shortly after watching Arsenal defeat Real Madrid 3–0 at a viewing centre in Calabar, Cross River State.
Inspector Enang, attached to the Akim Police Division, was said to have been in high spirits throughout the match.
Witnesses reported that he failed to stand up after the final whistle and was later confirmed dead at the Police Hospital, Akim.
