FCT Police React To Abuja Market Squabble Involving DSS Operatives

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force has reacted to the chaotic situation that happened on Thursday in the Garki market in Abuja, involving an officer of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Naija News gathered that some DSS operatives had stormed the market to make an arrest following a dispute that ensued between a client and a vendor when the situation escalated.

Based on a video of the incident which went viral on the internet, traders and other people in the market were seen scampering for safety after the loud sound of a gunshot was heard, and an individual was said to have been affected.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Haruna Garba, said the command has since douse down the chaotic situation at the Garki market that could have potentially disrupted the peace of the neighbourhood.

According to him, an altercation arose between market occupants and certain individuals, including an operative of the DSS as well as a tailor named Muhammad Habibu.

Garba confirmed that shots were fired at another tailor named Mubarak Mubarak and damages done to a section of the market’s police outpost during the incident yesterday.

He also noted that weapons used in the commotion have been recovered, and normalcy has now been restored.

The FCT commissioner also encouraged market occupants to refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property, especially that which belongs to the security agencies in place to safeguard their well-being.

DSS Commences Investigation

Meanwhile, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, has said in a statement earlier that the service has commenced an investigation into the Garki market incident.

Afunanya vowed that details of the inquiries will be communicated to the public as soon as possible and if found guilty, standard disciplinary measures would be taken against its staff said to have been involved in the incident.

“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. 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,” the statement reads.