A senior police officer died during a management meeting at the Ebonyi Police Command, with preliminary findings pointing to cardiac arrest
A senior police officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, has died while in active service during a management meeting at the Ebonyi State Police Command in Abakaliki.
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The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the office of the Commissioner of Police, where Popoola was attending a senior officers’ meeting.
Until his sudden death, Popoola was the Officer in Charge of the State Intelligence Department.
Sources said the senior officer suddenly developed breathing difficulties and began gasping for breath during the meeting, prompting an emergency response.
He was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre at the police headquarters, where medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him.
Despite the efforts, Popoola was confirmed dead by doctors shortly after arrival.
Preliminary medical findings indicated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest secondary to hypertensive heart disease.
His remains have since been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital mortuary in Abakaliki.
The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident on Thursday.
“Yes, one of them had a crisis during a meeting and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive,” Ukandu said.
“He was not sick before the incident. If he were sick, he wouldn’t have attended the meeting,” he added.
Ukandu described the late assistant commissioner as a dedicated and committed officer who served the Nigeria Police Force with professionalism.
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He conveyed the condolences of the Commissioner of Police and the entire Ebonyi State Police Command to Popoola’s family, noting that his death has left a painful void within the command.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
