Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have intervened in the chaos that erupted after an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) shot a fashion designer, identified as Muhammad Habibu, in Abuja.
The incident occurred at the Garki International Market, Abuja when an operative of the DSS entered the market to arrest the fashion designer.
Eyewitnesses report that one of the victim’s customers had brought the DSS official to the victim’s shop for failing to deliver some clothes.
A trader who had witnessed the incident said some of the fashion designer’s colleagues, had tried to intervene but the DSS operative did not take it lightly. The trader also pointed out that the Police subsequently arrested and detained the operative after the incident.
“A female customer of the fashion designer brought the DSS. She said the fashion designer did not sew her clothes. Her colleagues joined and defended her which led to a serious argument.
“We later heard a gunshot and learnt that the fashion designer had been killed and another injured. The DSS operative was arrested and detained at Wuse Market Police Station. That is where all our people are now,” the trader confirmed.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the incident, stating that peace had been restored to the market.
“In an incident at Garki International Market on September 7, 2023, 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 mobilised officers in response to a received distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals, who fired shots at a tailor known as Mubarak Mubarak.
“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. It is important to note that some weapons used in the commotion have been recovered, and normalcy has now been restored.
“The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Haruna Garba, emphasises the commitment to maintaining peace and respecting the rights of all citizens within the FCT. He encourages market occupants to also refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property, especially that which belongs to the security agencies in place to safeguard their well-being. Additionally, he urges the public to utilise the police emergency lines 08061581938,07057337653, 08028940883, for assistance when needed.”
Speaking on behalf of the DSS, the spokesperson for the security service, Peter Afunanya, said the secret police was investigating the matter.
“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. 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,” Afunaya stated.
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“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.
Afunaya maintained that the accused would be properly dealt with if found guilty.
“The Service assures that it will not hesitate to mete out a proper disciplinary measure(s) to its staff if found culpable or running foul of the Standard Operating Procedures on dealing with a member of the public.”