SHOCK AT POLICE HQ AS ACP SLUMPS, DIES MID-MEETING IN EBONYI

The Ebonyi State Police Command has been thrown into deep mourning following the sudden death of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, who collapsed and died during an official management meeting in Abakaliki.

The tragic incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the office of the Commissioner of Police, where senior officers had gathered for a routine management session.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, said the senior officer suddenly developed a medical emergency while the meeting was in progress.

“While we were in a meeting, the ACP suddenly experienced a medical challenge. He began gasping for breath and was immediately rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Sadly, he did not survive,” Ukandu stated.

The police spokesman stressed that ACP Popoola had shown no signs of ill health prior to the incident, noting that there was nothing to suggest he was unwell before attending the meeting.

“He was not known to be sick. If there were any health issues, he would not have been present at the meeting,” Ukandu added.

Sources familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that ACP Popoola, who was the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), slumped during the meeting and was swiftly evacuated to the Police Medical Centre at the State Police Headquarters.

Medical personnel reportedly battled to save his life, but despite frantic efforts to revive him, the senior officer was later pronounced dead by doctors.

Preliminary medical findings, according to the sources, indicated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest associated with hypertensive heart disease.

The remains of the late ACP have since been deposited at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1) mortuary in Abakaliki.

The sudden demise of ACP Popoola has cast a pall over the Ebonyi State Police Command, with colleagues and subordinates describing him as a highly dedicated, disciplined, and committed officer whose death has left a significant void in the command.

Further details, including burial arrangements, are expected to be announced by the family and the Police authorities in due course.