Tragedy Strikes as Rivers State Police Inspector Reportedly Takes Own Life

Port Harcourt, Nigeria – A cloud of mystery and grief hovers over the Eagle Island area of Port Harcourt following the reported suicide of Inspector Maxwell Zubu, a serving officer with the Rivers State Police Command. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has sparked widespread concern and calls for deeper mental health support within Nigeria’s police force.

Inspector Zubu, who was attached as a security detail to a former Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, is said to have shot himself under circumstances that are yet to be fully clarified. The reasons behind the tragic event remain unknown as investigators continue to piece together the events leading to his death.

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 Tragedy

News of the tragedy broke after residents of Eagle Island alerted law enforcement officials to the incident. Officers from the Azikiwe Police Division in Illabouchi, Mile 2 Diobu, quickly responded to the scene to begin a preliminary investigation. The location falls within their jurisdiction, and their swift arrival underscores the gravity with which the incident is being handled.

A source within the division, speaking anonymously, confirmed that a team had visited the scene shortly after the event. “Some policemen from the Azikiwe Police Division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures,” the source said, though further details were withheld due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the officer’s death but maintained that more information would be shared following the outcome of a detailed investigation. “Yes, I can confirm, but we have commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident, and we will make our findings public,” she told Punch.

The case has now been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt. The SCIID will lead a more in-depth inquiry, examining both the personal and professional life of Inspector Zubu to uncover possible motives or stressors that may have led to his fatal decision.

The incident has reignited conversations about the mental health challenges facing police officers in Nigeria. Long hours, low morale, limited psychological support, and exposure to trauma are often cited as contributing factors to mental health crises within the force. Human rights organizations and civil society groups have previously urged the Nigerian Police to invest in comprehensive mental wellness programs for their personnel.

While the investigation continues, residents and colleagues mourn the unexpected loss of an officer who, until recently, served in one of the state’s politically sensitive security roles. The tragedy also raises fresh questions about the toll of public service in high-pressure environments and the urgent need for institutional reforms to support police welfare.