- Shafi’u Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was found dead in his residence in Kontagora, Niger State
- The incident was reported by Bawa’s father, who discovered his son’s lifeless body hanging in the room
- ASP Bawa’s body was later taken to the general hospital and released to the family for burial under Islamic rites
Shafi’u Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police in Niger State, has reportedly committed suicide. His lifeless body was found hanging from the ceiling by his father when he entered the room in the afternoon.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, February 8 in Kontagora Local Government Area, where Usman Bawa, the father of the victim and a resident of Rigasa, reported the incident to the police.
Authorities confirm Officer Bawa’s death, launch investigation
Confirming the incident, Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger state police, reported that an investigation was in progress to establish the cause of the officer’s death.
“Today, Saturday, 08/02/25, at approximately 14:10 hours, one Mr Usman Bawa, male, of Rigasa area in Kontagora, reported that his son, AP/No 337979, ASP Shafi’u Usman Bawa, committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling due to a yet-to-be ascertained reason,” Abiodun stated.
Usman Bawa, the officer's father, raised the alarm after discovering his son's lifeless body and immediately reported the incident to the Kontagora police division.
Police officers later arrived at the scene and took his body to the general hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The corpse was subsequently released to his family for burial under the Islamic rites.
The incident has reportedly led to public reactions.
“Again? Oh no. We need to have more mental health facilities in Nigeria. Mental health needs to be discussed,” Mfon Abia stated on X.
“The rampant rate of suicide reporting from the police force is becoming something else,” Jp 101 reacted.
“Evil that men do live with them,” Utopia reacted.
“You should see their salaries it's enough to make one commit suicide,” Teezy stated.
“This is truly tragic. A senior officer taking his own life raises serious concerns. Something must be wrong, either within the force or personally. Mental health struggles are real, and we need to start addressing them seriously, especially among those who serve and protect,” Omo Ope of Lagos reacted.
Baffling Suicide: 6 established Nigerians who took their own lives
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Gbolahan Oyedemi, a Deputy Commissioner of Police with the Force Criminal and Investigation Department in Alagbon, Lagos, allegedly committed suicide.
TheRadar compiled the list of other people who had left a lasting void for those left behind.