Shoppers and traders at a Kubwa market in Abuja were thrown into panic on October 25 when a man walked in with a pistol and began firing into the air. Police say it started as a family matter: his wife had reportedly been assaulted by some traders.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested the suspect, Onoja Samuel, and recovered a pistol and ammunition. He was identified as a Deputy Superintendent of Corps with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a Wednesday statement, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, said a distress call was received at Kubwa Police Division at about 1:50 pm on October 25. The caller reported that an unidentified man armed with a pistol was firing into the air at the market.
She said police personnel attached to Kubwa Division were deployed to the scene and disarmed and arrested the suspect.
According to Adeh, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had gone to the market armed with a pistol following reports that some traders had assaulted his wife. During an ensuing argument with the traders, he fired several shots into the air.
The police spokesperson said a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from him. Adeh said the suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged operatives of sister security agencies to exercise restraint.
He asked them to notify police divisions responsible for areas in which they intend to conduct sanctioned operations within the FCT, to ensure proper coordination and prevent avoidable clashes.
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