Tragic: Policeman set to be promoted shoots himself to death in Imo State

A police officer identified as Paul Joseph attached to the Access Bank branch at Ahiara Junction in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo State has reportedly committed suicide.

It was gathered that Joseph was due to be promoted to the rank of inspector, unfortunately shot himself on Wednesday over frustrations of life and the delay in getting his promotion.

According to sources in the bank, the incident happened around 7.00 am when the bank staff was resuming work, only for them to hear a gunshot from their security house at the gate. After investigating, they discovered that the policeman had killed himself while his mate was out to the junction buying food.

A Police officer within the area (name withheld) said Joseph, who hailed from Taraba State, had in the last two weeks voiced frustrations over life and had been telling family and friends that he wanted to end his life and go to heaven.

He said further that yesterday (Tuesday) that he noticed that he was serious about what he was saying when they were drinking at the bar and he said he would kill himself.

It was gathered, that his corpse was ordered by the police officer in charge of the Ahiara Police Division to be deposited in the morgue.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the incident.

Ikeokwu said that the Police had recovered the service rifle which Joseph allegedly used in taking his own life. He added that Police Commissioner, Rabiu Ladodo, had ordered investigation into the incident.

“We have evacuated the corpse to a morgue and we have recovered the rifle.

“Suicide is not a crime. What is a crime is attempted suicide.

“He would have been arrested if anybody had rescued him while he allegedly tried to commit suicide.

“The CP has ordered a full-scale investigation. We want to find out why a serving Police officer who earned salaries took his own life.

“There are many assumptions, but we don’t want to be carried away by them. We want to find out what led to the alleged suicide,” Ikeokwu said.