Moses Ambakina Jituboh, a former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has died at the age of 54.
Sources confirmed to Punch on Friday night that Jituboh passed away after a brief illness.
A source close to the late police officer revealed efforts are underway to conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
“Yes, your information is correct. I can confirm that he (Moses Jituboh) is dead. I just got off the phone with a community chief. Efforts are currently ongoing to carry out an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death,” the source said.
Jituboh, who was Jonathan’s ADC during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice President, remained an integral part of his security team when Jonathan assumed the presidency.
Following Jonathan’s exit from office in 2015, Jituboh returned to active police duty and was at one time speculated to become Inspector General of Police but lost out on the appointment.
The Zone 16 Police Command expressed condolences to Jituboh’s family and the people of Bayelsa State over the loss. In a statement on Saturday, the Zonal Public Relations Officer, Emonena Gunn, described the demise of the former Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) as a “great loss.”
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, Adebola Hamzat, also commiserated with the Jituboh family, noting his contributions to the force and the nation.
“DIG Moses Ambakina Jituboh, mni, was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on the 10th of June 1994 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. His death is a great loss to his immediate family, Bayelsa State, the Nigeria Police, and the country at large,” the statement read.
It added, “His contributions to the Nigeria Police Force, dedication to service and integrity can never be forgotten, as before his retirement in 2023, he was DIG in-charge of the Department of Research and Planning, and also served as DIG Department of Information & Communications Technology (ICT), Force Headquarters.
“The passing of DIG Moses Ambakina Jituboh is a great loss, not only to the immediate family but to the entire Bayelsa State, Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large.
“It is our prayer that God will give the immediate family the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss of your beloved son.
“On behalf of the entire officers and men of the zone, please accept the heartfelt condolences of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16 Command.”