Unnamed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) caused pandemonium at Garki Modern Market, Abuja, by shooting into the air while attempting to arrest a tailor, injuring two people including a woman.
Persecondnews reports that a video of the incident which surfaced on the internet showed traders scampering for safety after a hail of gunshots and tear gas.
An altercation had broken out among some market men and women as well as certain individuals, including a DSS personnel and a tailor, identified as Mubarak Mubarak.
It was gathered that the operative shot at the tailor in a bid to arrest him while a woman and a man were injured.
It, however, took the intervention of the police to save the DSS officials from a mob attack.
Contacted for comments, the FCT Police Command and the secret police, confirmed the incident have, however, reacted to the incident.
The spokesman for the Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said: “In an incident at Garki International Market on the 8th of September 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.
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“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 DSS on its part said it is investigating the incident at Garki Market involving its staff.
The spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya, also said: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to an incident that occurred a few hours ago (today, 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.”
Persecondnews reports that two people were wounded by stray bullets — a man was seen lying on the floor with a gunshot wound on his knee while a woman was also seen with her face covered with bandage.
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