A member of the Presidential arms probe panel and a senior officer of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Teikumi Daniel Ikoli, has committed suicide.
Ikoli was recently promoted and decorated a Rear Admiral (2-Star General) by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas on the special recommendation of President Muhammadu Buhari for exemplary service with regards to his work in the arms panel.
This is coming as many military, security and intelligent officers have expressed worry over the increased cases of depression and suicide within the sector.
The Nigerian Navy has also confirmed the death of the senior officer but described it as a “domestic accident”.
This was announced in a statement of Wednesday, by Lt-Commander CF Umar of Western Naval Command, Lagos.
Umar in a statement titled, “Domestic accident involving a naval officer”, said the tragic event took place in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“In the early hours of this morning, Wednesday April 5, 2017, gunshots were heard in the vicinity where Rear Admiral Teikumi Daniel Ikoli resides in Apapa.
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When his room was opened he was found dead.
“Police has been invited and investigation is ongoing. When the situation is clear, an update will be given,” he stated.
Security sources disclosed that the suicide rate in the country may not be unconnected with distress issues and depression that is on increase among the personnel and their families.
The senior officer’s death is also coming barely a month after a 35 years old medical doctor Allwell Orji committed suicide by jumping into the lagoon at 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
Ikoli was a member of the Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jon Ode (rtd) Presidential arms probe panel, which was unceremoniously disbanded early this year.
The 13-member panel was secretly disengaged after series of corruption allegations and conflicts of interests associated with some members of the panel.
Apart from Admiral Ikoli’s tragic death and alleged power tussle between AVM Ode and National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Mungonu (rtd), another member of the panel, Air Codre Umar Mohammed (rtd) was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for over a month.
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