By Philip Nwosu

The Nigerian Navy was yesterday hit by tragedy, as a former member of the Presidential Committee on Arms, the Fleet Commander of the Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli, was found dead at his residence in Apapa, Lagos.
Consequently, the police have been invited to unravel the mystery surrounding Ikoli’s death, as there was no sign of forceful break-in into his home before he was found dead.
Ikoli, ex-commander of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, before being appointed into the presidential committee probing the importation of arms into the country, was found dead in a pool of his own blood after neighbours heard a gunshot.
Sources disclosed that Ikoli was at his office, Western Naval Command, on Tuesday, but left early, after complaining that he was not feeling too well. He could not attend a function at the Western Naval Command, it was gathered.
Daily Sun learnt that a youngster who lived at the admiral’s home claimed he heard gunshots from his room in the middle of the night.
According to a source, “The boy said he heard gunshots and took cover. His wife is in Abuja and his children school abroad. His orderly and Naval assistant usually go home after dropping him.”
The source added that preliminary investigation showed that a bullet hit ikoli in the chest, while three expended rounds were seen in his room.
Spokesman for the Western Naval Command, Lt. Commander Chinwe Umar, in announcing the death of Ikoli, said the police had been invited to investigate the death.
In a statement, the Navy said: “In the early hours of Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 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.”
Ikoli was the arrowhead in the investigation into the huge expenditure on arms during the era of Col. Sambo Dasuki as the National Security Adviser.
Owing to his hard work, he was awarded a Presidential Medal and given accelerated promotion, to the rank of a two-star admiral, ahead of his peers.
Naval personnel who worked with him, during his reign as Commander of the NNS Beecroft, expressed shock at his death.
When contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Larinde Famous-Cole said: “We are aware of the death of the Navy Admiral and we have taken over the investigation.
We will not be able to make official statement on what transpired until investigation is concluded. At the appropriate time, we will be able to say what happened.”