Police Inspector Maxwell Zabu Found Dead in Suspected Suicide at Eagle Island
Port Harcourt, Rivers State — Police Inspector Maxwell Zabu, attached to former Port Harcourt City Local Government Chairman Victor Ihunwo, was found dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound in the early hours of Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The tragic incident unfolded at the Eagle Island residence of the ex-local government boss and was first reported at the nearby Eagle Island Police Post under the jurisdiction of the Azikiwe Police Division.
Discovery and Initial Response
According to preliminary reports, colleagues at the Eagle Island post received an emergency call shortly after midnight and rushed to the scene, where Inspector Zabu was discovered unresponsive with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel. Detectives from the Azikiwe Division, headquartered in Diobu’s Mile 2 area, swiftly cordoned off the residence and secured the scene for evidence collection.
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Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that the officer’s death is being treated as a suspected suicide. “It is suspected that Inspector Zabu took his own life,” she stated, “but the investigation is ongoing, and we are exploring all angles to ascertain the precise circumstances.”
Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju has ordered that the case file be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) in Port Harcourt for an in-depth forensic and intelligence-gathering operation.
Investigation Underway
SCIID detectives are expected to:
- Conduct a full autopsy at the State Forensic Center to confirm cause of death.
- Interview colleagues and supervisors to trace Inspector Zabu’s activities and mental state in the days preceding his death.
- Examine digital evidence, including phone and radio logs, plus any available CCTV footage from the residence and police post.
- Review personal effects for notes or indicators of personal distress.
A source within the investigation team indicated that no suicide note has yet been recovered, and foul play has not been ruled out pending the outcome of ballistic analyses and witness statements.
Colleague and Community Reactions
Inspector Zabu, a veteran officer with over a decade of service, was described by peers as diligent and courteous. “He always took pride in his duties,” said one constable who asked to remain anonymous. “This comes as a complete shock.”
Residents of Eagle Island, who have collaborated with the local police on community-patrol initiatives, expressed profound sadness. “He was known to attend our neighborhood meetings and was respected by everyone,” said a local community leader. “We mourn his loss and pray for clarity on what happened.”
Spotlight on Mental Health in the Force
While suicide among Nigerian police officers is rarely documented, international studies highlight that law-enforcement personnel face elevated risks of depression and suicidal ideation due to chronic stress, irregular hours, and exposure to traumatic events. A 2024 study by the International Journal of Police Science noted that officers worldwide often lack access to confidential counseling and peer-support structures.
Civil-society advocates and criminologists are calling for the Nigeria Police Force to:
- Institutionalize regular psychological screenings at recruitment and throughout service.
- Establish confidential peer-support networks and critical-incident debriefing teams.
- Allocate dedicated funding for mental-health training and in-house counseling services.
“Ensuring the mental well-being of officers is as crucial as providing them ballistic vests,” said Dr. Funmi Adeyemi, a criminologist at the University of Lagos. “Neglecting this imperative endangers both personnel and the communities they serve.”
Policy Gaps and Calls for Reform
Unlike several Western countries with formalized police mental-health programs, Nigeria currently lacks comprehensive legislation mandating psychological support for security agencies. The Police Service Commission and the National Assembly have been urged to draft and enact policies that would embed mental-health provisions into the operational framework of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Rivers State chapter of the Police Officers’ Wives Association has also appealed to the state government to sponsor emergency counseling for affected officers and families.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
TJ News Nigeria understands as the SCIID continues its forensic and interview processes, family members of Inspector Zabu have requested privacy but are fully cooperating with investigators. A memorial service is expected once the coroner’s report is finalized.
Beyond determining the facts of this tragic event, stakeholders warn that addressing systemic welfare issues—including mental-health support, reasonable shift rotations, and hazard allowances—is critical to preventing future tragedies. Community-policing partnerships, too, may need bolstering to provide officers with additional social support channels.
Inspector Zabu’s death is a solemn reminder of the hidden toll exacted on security personnel. As Rivers State mourns one of its own, it also faces the urgent task of reforming the structures meant to safeguard those who safeguard the public.
