DSS shoots and kills tailor in Abuja over delay & non completion of customer ‘s cloth
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said they intervened in a violent protest that ensued after an alleged shooting by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) killed a fashion designer, with several individuals sustaining injuries.
The incident reportedly began when a customer brought the DSS official to the victim’s shop, accusing the fashion designer of failing to deliver clothes on an agreed-upon date.
Colleagues of the fashion designer, upon learning of the situation, intervened, which led to a heated argument with the DSS operative.
Narrating the altercation, an anonymous trader in the market said, “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. The issue 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.”
In response to the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, issued a statement on Thursday.
She stated, “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.
“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 a tailor known as Mubarak Mubarak.”
Adeh continued, “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.”
The DSS also issued a statement on the matter, with spokesperson Peter Afunanya confirming that an investigation had commenced.
He 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.
“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.”
Afunanya assured the public that details of the inquiry would be communicated once available and emphasized that the DSS would not hesitate to take disciplinary measures if its staff were found culpable or in violation of standard operating procedures when dealing with the public.
