The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has suspended Deputy Superintendent Onoja Samuel, following his arrest over the shooting incident at Kubwa Market in Abuja.
The suspension comes after Samuel was arrested for allegedly firing several gunshots into the air during an altercation with traders on Sunday. The suspect had reportedly gone to the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, who announced the suspension in a statement on Thursday, said the officer acted unprofessionally during the confrontation.
Afolabi quoted the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, as directing an Orderly Room Trial to determine the personnel’s level of culpability in the alleged offence, emphasizing the corps’ zero tolerance for misuse of firearms or any form of professional misconduct.
Audi stated that, “The action of the officer is a gross violation of the rules of engagement and misuse of firearms which is a breach of the Standard Operating Procedures, SOP, of the corps and as such will attract appropriate sanction.
“The alleged officer is therefore stripped of all official responsibilities and relieved of his assignment pending the conclusion of all disciplinary proceedings by the already well established committee.
“Outcome of the trial and internal disciplinary process will be made public upon conclusion.”
The NSCDC boss reassured members of the public of the corps’ commitment to protecting lives and upholding professional standards at all times, no matter the circumstances, adding that the corps will never tolerate or shield any officer whose actions jeopardises public safety or violates operational guidelines.
The development comes on the heels of the suspect’s arrest by operatives attached to the Kubwa Police Division, who deployed to the scene following a distress call reporting that a man was firing sporadically into the air at the market.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, had in an earlier statement confirmed that the police disarmed the suspect and recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition.
Adeh noted that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, has urged personnel of sister security agencies to notify the police divisions responsible for their areas of operation before conducting authorised assignments within the territory.
Sanusi said the measure was necessary to ensure proper coordination among security agencies and prevent avoidable clashes, while also advising residents to report emergencies through dedicated lines.
