By OKOSUN DENNIS
The Commander, Fleet Command, Western Naval Command, (NWC), Rear Admiral Teikumo Daniel Ikoli, whose dead body was discovered in his room at Tamadu barracks, North avenue, in Apapa, Lagos on Wednesday might have committed suicide.
A security source disclosed to National Daily that the officer might have shot himself even though the authority of the Western Naval Command where he served as the Fleet Commander didn’t mull suicide.
While a version of an account said that the Rear Admiral might have shot himself dead, another account, however, stated that he might have been assassinated by unknown assailants.
However, the only boy that stayed with him who assisted in domestic chores said he heard a gunshot from the direction of his room in his duplex at the early hours of Wednesday.
Immediately the gunshot was heard, it was reported to the police at the Apapa Division who went to his apartment. When the door was forced opened, they met his blood soaked body on the ground with a bullet lodged in his chest while three other bullets were on the floor.
Until recently, he was a member of the Presidential Committee that investigated the misappropriation of monies voted for arms procurement said to have been mismanaged during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
National Daily gathered that his wife lives in Abuja while the children are abroad.
“When our men arrived the scene at Tamadu Barracks, it was discovered that the deceased could have shot himself. Three bullets were found in the room. But we have begun investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to his death. It is still hasty to say it was a suicide or not because there was no suicide note found in the room,” saod a police source.
It could not immediately be verified if there was any gun found in his room as both naval and police officers couldn’t make a categorical statement about the incident.
However, it was unclear what could have prompted the commander to take his life as nothing suggested suicide attempt. He was said to be in the office on Tuesday without visible signs of depression. But, it was learnt he left office midday complaining that he wasn’t feeling fine.
An unconfirmed source told National Daily that Rear Admiral Ikoli might have been suffering from some form of depression orchestrated from an undisclosed illness. It was also learnt that being an introvert could have complicated his depressed condition as he might not have discussed it with his colleagues or family members.
At the Fleet Command, Western Naval Command Apapa where Rear Admiral Ikoli, was the Commander and at NNS Beecroft, where he last served as a Commander, it was a mournful mood.
An officer who spoke anonymously said, “What could have happened to oga Ikoli? Who could have killed him? Why will he even kill himself? I am just confused about the whole matter. Such a quiet and well-loved officer! See how he transformed NNS Beecroft within the short period he was here. It is really sad to fathom. However, only God knows the best.
At Tamadu Barracks, the situation was calm. Naval personnel had taken over the place with few residents seen in clusters within their apartment.
When the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olarinde Famous-Cole was contacted, he said “I cannot comment on the issue now until I speak with my colleague in the navy. When he eventually did, he sent a text message that reads: “There is an ongoing investigation related to the incident please.”
Soon after the news broke, National Daily spoke with the Command Information Officer (Cinfo) Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Commander Chinwe Umar on what might have happened to the officer, but she said the police have been called in and investigation has begun.
However, confirming the death of the officer in a statement later and made available to National Daily read, “gunshots were heard in the vicinity where Rear Admiral Teikumo Daniel Ikoli resides in Apapa. When his room was opened, he was found dead.
“Police have been invited and investigation is ongoing. When the situation is clearer, an update would be given”.
Rear Admiral Ikoli was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral late last year and was appointed the Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command until his death on Wednesday.