Tragedy struck the Ebonyi State Police Command on Tuesday as an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ogbon-Inu Taiwo Popoola, slumped and died while attending a management meeting at the command headquarters in Abakaliki.

Popoola, who was the officer in charge of the State Intelligence Department, reportedly developed sudden breathing difficulties during the meeting around 11 am. Colleagues present said he began gasping for air, prompting an immediate response.

He was quickly rushed to the Police Medical Centre within the headquarters, where medical personnel made efforts to resuscitate him. Sadly, doctors later confirmed him dead despite their intervention.

Preliminary medical findings indicated that Popoola died from cardiac arrest linked to hypertensive heart disease. His remains have since been deposited at the morgue of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

Confirming the incident, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu, said the officer was not known to be ill before the meeting.

“Yes, one of them had a crisis during a meeting and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t survive. He was not sick before the incident. If he were sick, he wouldn’t have attended the meeting,” Ukandu said.

Colleagues described the late officer as dedicated and professional, noting that his sudden death has left the command in shock and mourning.