In a recent development, the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory Command, Haruna Garba, has confirmed the arrest and detention of a Department of State Services (DSS) operative involved in a shooting incident that resulted in multiple injuries and hospitalizations. Garba revealed this significant development during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Saturday. He stressed that the investigation into the incident was ongoing, firmly denying any allegations that the DSS operative had been released.
“The DSS operative is still in our custody; he has not been released, and investigation is still ongoing,” assured the CP.
Meanwhile, victims of the market shooting are currently receiving medical treatment at various hospitals in Abuja, underscoring the gravity of the incident.
The unfortunate incident unfolded when a violent protest erupted on Thursday night, triggered by the shooting of a fashion designer by the DSS operative, who also indiscriminately fired shots that left several others injured. According to reports, the DSS operative had been brought to the fashion designer’s shop by a client who alleged that the designer had failed to deliver clothes as agreed upon.
A trader in the market, speaking on condition of anonymity, recounted the events, revealing that the fashion designer’s colleagues had intervened upon learning of the situation. However, their intervention escalated tensions further, resulting in the arrest and subsequent detention of the DSS operative at the Wuse Market Police Station.
The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, had released a statement on Thursday acknowledging the incident and assuring the public of a thorough investigation. Afunanya stated, “The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to an incident that occurred a few hours ago between its staff and a mob at the Garki Market, Abuja.” He further elaborated that the DSS personnel had responded to an SOS call from their field operatives, who had allegedly come under attack by a mob in the market.
The DSS has initiated an investigation into the matter and pledged to communicate the inquiry’s details to the public in due course. They reiterated their commitment to taking appropriate disciplinary measures if any staff members were found culpable or in violation of standard operating procedures in dealing with the public.
