ASP NORBERT ODALE SUSPECTED TO HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE AS POLICE RECOVER SERVICE RIFLE, AMMUNITION AT DURUMI COMPANY
ABUJA — A police officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Norbert Odale, has been found dead with a gunshot wound to the chest while on static guard duty at Eunell Engineering Company in Durumi, Abuja.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 7, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., according to a preliminary police incident report.
The report indicated that the officer was suspected to have died by suicide, although the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation and the preliminary finding has not been established as a final determination.
The incident came to the attention of the police following a distress call reportedly received from Police Constable Shuaibu Danjuma, who was deployed alongside the deceased officer to the approved static guard duty post at Eunell Engineering Company.
Police personnel subsequently responded to the distress call and proceeded to the scene, where ASP Odale was reportedly found lying lifeless in a pool of blood with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery of the officer’s body have raised questions that investigators are now expected to address as part of a full investigation into the incident.
According to the preliminary report, the deceased officer was discovered after he allegedly failed to respond when knocks were made on the door of the security room where he was stationed.
The report stated that the officer was eventually found dead inside the location with what appeared to be a gunshot injury to the chest.
A service rifle belonging to the deceased officer was reportedly recovered at the scene.
Police said the firearm, bearing breach number 07006497, was recovered alongside 29 rounds of ammunition and one expended ammunition casing.
According to the report, investigators also observed that the rifle chamber was open while the firearm was still cocked at the time it was recovered.
The police carried out preliminary crime scene procedures, including the taking of photographs as part of efforts to document the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The remains of the deceased officer were subsequently removed from the scene and taken to Wuse General Hospital for medical examination, certification and preservation.
The preliminary police findings indicated that ASP Odale was suspected to have taken his own life while on duty.
However, investigators have not ruled that conclusion as final, with further inquiries expected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the gunshot that led to his death.
The death of a serving police officer while on active duty has drawn attention to the need for a thorough investigation, particularly given the recovery of his service rifle and ammunition at the scene.
The police are expected to examine all available evidence, including the firearm, the expended ammunition casing, the scene of the incident and accounts from persons who were present or working within the area at the time.
The preliminary report also indicated that efforts were ongoing to contact members of the deceased officer’s family and formally communicate the tragic development.
Police authorities have not publicly released further details concerning the officer’s personal circumstances or whether investigators have identified any additional factors that may have contributed to the incident.
While the preliminary report points to suspected suicide, the exact cause and circumstances of ASP Odale’s death remain subject to the outcome of ongoing police investigations and other relevant medical and forensic findings.
The case underscores the importance of allowing investigators to establish the facts before reaching a final conclusion on the circumstances surrounding the death.
ASP Odale’s death has also left colleagues and members of the policing community mourning the loss of an officer who was on official duty when the tragic incident occurred.
The police are expected to provide further information as investigations progress and additional findings become available.
IBN News will continue to monitor the investigation and report further verified developments.
