NSCDC Suspends Officer Over Alleged Market Shooting in Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has suspended one of its officers, Deputy Superintendent of Corps Onoja Babayo Samuel, over allegations of indiscriminate shooting during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.

The incident, which occurred on October 25, 2026, has also prompted the corps to initiate an Orderly Room Trial to determine the officer’s level of involvement and culpability.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the officer’s actions constituted a serious breach of the corps’ rules of engagement and operational guidelines.

According to the statement, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, ordered Samuel’s immediate suspension and directed that disciplinary proceedings commence without delay.

“The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who maintains zero tolerance for misuse of firearms or any form of professional misconduct, has therefore directed an immediate suspension of the personnel and Orderly Room Trial to determine his level of culpability in the alleged offence,” the statement said.

The corps added that the officer has been relieved of all official duties pending the outcome of the investigation and disciplinary process.

A committee at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja has been assigned to handle the matter, while the findings of the trial and other disciplinary measures will be made public upon completion.

Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and public safety, the NSCDC stated that it would not shield any personnel found guilty of misconduct or actions that threaten the safety of citizens.

The suspension followed the officer’s arrest by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command over allegations that he fired shots into the air during a dispute at the market.

According to the police, officers attached to the Kubwa Division responded to a distress call reporting that an armed man was discharging a firearm at the market.

FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said preliminary findings indicated that the suspect had gone to the market with a pistol after receiving reports that some traders had assaulted his wife. Police operatives subsequently disarmed and arrested him at the scene.

Authorities say investigations and disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.