Police arrest, detain DSS operative over shooting incident in Abuja Market

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory Command, Haruna Garba, has confirmed the arrest and detention of an operative from the Department of State Services (DSS) involved in a shooting incident that resulted in multiple injuries and hospitalizations.

Commissioner Garba disclosed this during a telephone interview on Saturday, dispelling allegations that the DSS operative was walking free. He emphasized that the investigation into the incident was still ongoing.

“The DSS operative is still in our custody; he has not been released, and investigation is still ongoing,” stated the CP.

Meanwhile, it has been verified that the victims of the market shooting are presently receiving medical treatment at various hospitals in Abuja.

The violent protest erupted on Thursday night, subsequently quelled by the police, after a DSS operative shot a fashion designer and indiscriminately fired shots that injured several others.

Reportedly, a client brought the DSS operative to the fashion designer’s shop due to alleged non-delivery of clothes as agreed upon. Colleagues of the fashion designer intervened, leading to a heated argument with the DSS operative.

A trader in the market, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the DSS operative was detained at the Wuse Market Police Station following the shooting incident.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, previously released a statement stating that the agency was investigating the matter and that it had responded to an SOS from its field operatives who had allegedly come under attack by a mob at Garki Market, Abuja.

The DSS assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken if any staff were found culpable or in violation of standard operating procedures when dealing with a member of the public.