The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a serving officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), identified as Onoja Samuel, for allegedly firing several shots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at about 1:50 p.m., after the Kubwa Police Division received a distress call reporting that an armed man was allegedly shooting sporadically at the market.
The police said operatives attached to the division responded promptly to the report, disarmed the suspect and took him into custody.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, identifying the suspect as a Deputy Superintendent of Corps with the NSCDC.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that Samuel had gone to the market armed with a pistol after receiving information that some traders had allegedly assaulted his wife.
The situation reportedly escalated into an argument between the officer and the traders, during which he allegedly fired several shots into the air.
The police said a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspect during his arrest.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the officer’s wife, including the identities of those involved and the events that preceded the shooting, were not fully detailed in the police account.
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to be charged before a court upon the conclusion of investigations, the command stated.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers associated with the use of firearms during personal disputes, particularly in busy public places where gunfire can trigger panic, cause injuries and endanger innocent people.
Although the police account did not report any casualties, the alleged discharge of a firearm in a crowded market raises concerns about public safety and the need for armed personnel to exercise restraint when confronted with disputes.
The development also highlights the importance of ensuring that allegations of assault and other grievances are reported to the appropriate authorities rather than addressed through potentially dangerous confrontations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, PhD, FCAI, has urged personnel of sister security agencies operating in the territory to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before undertaking authorised operations.
According to the command, the directive is intended to strengthen coordination among security agencies, improve communication and prevent avoidable clashes.
The commissioner emphasised that effective collaboration among security agencies is essential to maintaining law and order and protecting residents across the FCT.
The police also urged residents to report emergencies and security concerns through the command’s dedicated telephone lines: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
The case is expected to proceed through the appropriate legal process following the completion of investigations. The allegations against Samuel remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless and until a court of competent jurisdiction determines otherwise.
