FCT Police quells violence as DSS agent kills designer.
In a shocking turn of events, the Garki International Market in Abuja descended into chaos on Thursday night as an altercation between a Department of State Services (DSS) agent and a local tailor resulted in tragedy.
The incident, which saw the fatal shooting of a fashion designer, sent shockwaves through the community and led to a violent protest that had to be subdued by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
DSS agent kills designer
According to witnesses at the scene, the unfortunate incident began when a customer brought the DSS personnel to the fashion designer’s shop, alleging that the tailor had failed to deliver clothes on an agreed-upon date. Tensions escalated rapidly when some of the designer’s colleagues intervened on his behalf, attempting to mediate the dispute.
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Eyewitnesses report that the situation took a deadly turn when the DSS agent allegedly opened fire, resulting in the death of the fashion designer and injuries to others present. The DSS agent was subsequently apprehended and detained by the police at the Wuse Market Police station.
A trader from the market, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted the harrowing events, saying, “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 learned that the fashion designer had been killed and another injured.”
In response to the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, issued a statement, stating, “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 continued, “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. 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.”
The statement emphasized the commitment to maintaining peace and respecting the rights of all citizens within the FCT. It also urged market occupants to refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property.
On the other hand, the DSS, through its spokesperson Peter Afunanya, issued a statement acknowledging the incident. Afunanya stated, “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.
He further explained, “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 DSS assured the public that details of the inquiry would be communicated soon and that proper disciplinary measures would be taken if any staff members were found culpable.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident has left the community in shock, raising questions about the use of force and the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts within public spaces.
