In a harrowing incident that has shaken the Rivers State Police Command, Inspector Maxwell Wesley Zabo, a dedicated officer and orderly to Hon. Victor Ihunwo, the former Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA), has died by suspected suicide—moments after calling his family to bid them farewell and instruct them to prepare his grave.
The tragic event unfolded on the morning of April 22, 2025, at Ihunwo’s residence in the Eagle Island area of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
According to a confidential police signal obtained by SaharaReporters, the deceased officer, who had been attached to Ihunwo as a security aide during his tenure as Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, reportedly used his service weapon—a Tokarev pistol with breach number 49115892—to fatally shoot himself in the head.
The chilling message, dated April 22, read in part:
“Today 22/04/2025 at about 0800hrs, one Hon. Victor Ihunwo ‘M’ reported at Azikiwe Division that at about 0745hrs one of his security details, Insp. Alexander Gift of PMF 19 PHC, heard a gunshot and discovered that Insp. Maxwell Wesley Zabo had shot himself with his service pistol, which was loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition.”
Responding swiftly, officers from the Azikiwe Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, arrived at the scene and rushed Inspector Zabo to a nearby hospital. Sadly, he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Evidence from the scene—including the Tokarev pistol, an extra magazine, the discharged shell, and the officer’s mobile phone—was recovered. His remains were deposited at the Military Hospital in Port Harcourt for autopsy.
While the news initially stunned colleagues and the public alike, deeply disturbing details later emerged from the deceased’s family.
According to the late officer’s cousin, SP Mu’azu, who currently serves as DPO of Asarama Division, Zabo had made ominous phone calls to relatives earlier that morning. In his emotional calls, he expressed grave concerns about his health and hinted at his intentions.
“He told them he wasn’t feeling well and might not make it through the day. He directed them to prepare his grave, take care of his family, and informed them about where to find his properties and important documents,” the police signal revealed.
Despite frantic efforts by his family to reach him again—his phone reportedly kept ringing—Zabo never answered another call.
The Rivers State Police Command has since transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt for what it described as “further discreet investigation.”
“Further development will be communicated,” the official statement concluded.
Inspector Zabo’s death raises fresh concerns over the mental health and emotional wellbeing of police officers serving under often grueling and high-pressure conditions. It is a stark reminder of the silent battles many uniformed men and women face behind their badges.
PIONEER NEWS 