The Ebonyi State Police Command has announced the sudden and tragic death of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ogbon-inu Popoola, who passed away while attending a senior management meeting at the command’s headquarters in Abakaliki. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the loss. ACP Popoola, who until his demise was the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), was described as “a dedicated officer, who served the force with commitment and professionalism.” The SID is a critical unit responsible for gathering and analyzing criminal intelligence, a role central to proactive policing and crime prevention.
Context: The Demands of High-Command Policing
The death of a senior officer during an official meeting highlights the immense, often overlooked, pressures of police leadership. Management meetings at this level involve strategic planning, review of high-profile cases, and resource allocation under significant stress. The incident raises important questions about occupational health, stress management, and emergency medical preparedness within police facilities, even for senior personnel.
Chronology of a Sudden Collapse
According to a senior police officer who spoke anonymously to reporters, the tragedy unfolded rapidly during the meeting. ACP Popoola “suddenly developed breathing difficulty and began gasping for breath.” Colleagues acted swiftly, rushing him to the command’s clinic located within the Police Headquarters complex. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. His remains have been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital mortuary for preservation and likely to determine the official cause of death.
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
While the police statement focuses on commemorating the officer’s service, the anonymous account of his sudden respiratory distress points to a potential acute medical event. Such incidents, while personal tragedies, also serve as a stark reminder of the physical toll of demanding public service roles. There is no indication of foul play, but standard procedure would involve an internal inquiry alongside the medical examination to document the circumstances fully.
The command has extended its deepest condolences to the family of ACP Popoola, acknowledging the “irreparable loss.” The Nigerian Police Force, as an institution, now faces the task of filling a vital intelligence leadership role while supporting a grieving command and family. This event underscores the human element behind the uniform—a reminder that those tasked with maintaining public safety are not immune to sudden personal crisis.
Report by Christian Ogbonna for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Sam Oditah.
