‘DSS personnel opens fire’ in Abuja market after being invited to settle quarrel

An operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly opened fire inside Garki market in Abuja on Thursday.

Stray bullets were said to have hit two persons afterwards.

According to Zagazola Makama, a security and counter-insurgency publication, a customer had called in some DSS operatives to arrest a tailor who had failed to meet an agreed deadline on delivery of clothes.

On learning of the presence of the DSS operatives, some of the tailor’s colleagues stepped in to prevent the arrest.

The intervention did not sit well with the DSS agents. One of the personnel allegedly fired a shot that injured the tailor, with a stray bullet hitting a sales girl who was sitting in her shop.

Enraged by the gunfire, the tailor’s colleagues tried to obstruct the departure of the DSS operatives from the market.

A footage showed alleged DSS personnel scurrying from the scene, with traders pelting their fleeing van with stones.

‘WE INTERVENED TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY’ 

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Friday, Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said officers prevented the situation from degenerating.

“An altercation arose between market occupants and certain individuals, including a DSS personnel and a tailor named Muhammad Habibu,” Adeh said.

“The Garki Divisional Police station mobilized officers in response to a received distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals who fired shots at this tailor.

“This incident led to some of the local youths reacting angrily and attempting to confront the DSS personnel involved.

“In response, the police intervened to rescue the individuals and protect public safety.

“During the incident, there was damage to a section of the police outpost as some of the irate youths acted in a disorderly manner.”

The police spokesperson said “weapons” used in the commotion have been recovered, and normalcy has been restored.

‘WE’VE COMMENCED INVESTIGATION’

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said in a statement that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

He added that personnel found culpable will face disciplinary measures.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to an incident that occurred a few hours ago (today, 7/9/2023) between its staff and a mob at the Garki Market, Abuja,” the statement reads.

“Information at the disposal of the Service was that its FCT Command responded to an SOS from their field operatives who allegedly came under a mob attack in the said market.

“Consequently, the Service has commenced an investigation into the matter.

“The public is assured that details of the inquiries will be communicated as soon as possible.

“The Service assures that it will not hesitate to mete out proper disciplinary measure(s) to its staff if found culpable or running foul of Standard Operating Procedures on dealing with a member of the public.”