The Ebonyi State Police Command has officially confirmed the sudden and untimely death of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, who tragically collapsed during an official management meeting in Abakaliki. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at approximately 10:30 a.m., was confirmed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, who stated that the senior police officer experienced a medical emergency while attending a crucial meeting.

ACP Popoola, who served as the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department (SID), suddenly developed severe breathing difficulties and began gasping for breath during the meeting held at the office of the Commissioner of Police in Abakaliki. Witnesses quickly responded, and he was immediately rushed to the Police Medical Centre at the State Police Headquarters for urgent medical attention.

Despite the concerted efforts of medical personnel at the Police Medical Centre to revive him, ACP Popoola unfortunately did not survive and was later pronounced dead by medical doctors. SP Joshua Ukandu noted that the late officer had no known history of illness prior to this tragic incident, stating, “He was not known to be sick. If there were any health issues, he would not have been present at the meeting.”

Preliminary medical assessments, according to sources familiar with the incident, have indicated that the probable cause of death was cardiac arrest, secondary to hypertensive heart disease. The Nigeria Police Force has since paid tribute to ACP Popoola, describing him as a committed and professional senior officer who dedicated his service until his passing.

The remains of the deceased Assistant Commissioner of Police have been respectfully deposited at the mortuary of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA 1) in Abakaliki, awaiting further arrangements.