The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over allegations that he fired several gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja. The incident raised concerns about the handling of personal disputes by armed security personnel in public places.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at approximately 1:50 p.m., when police received a distress call about sporadic gunshots at Kubwa Market in the Federal Capital Territory. Officers responding to the report arrested Onoja Samuel, identified as a Deputy Superintendent of Corps with the NSCDC, and recovered a pistol and ammunition.
According to the police account, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had gone to the market after receiving information that some traders allegedly assaulted his wife.
The reported assault was said to have prompted Samuel to confront the traders involved in the dispute. However, the circumstances of the alleged attack on his wife, including the identities of those involved and whether any injuries were sustained, have not been independently established.
Police alleged that Samuel arrived at the market carrying a pistol and became involved in a confrontation with traders.
During the disagreement, he allegedly discharged his firearm several times into the air, causing alarm and prompting calls for security intervention.
The FCT Police Command said its operatives responded to the distress call and apprehended the suspect.
A CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were reportedly recovered during the operation.
The police have not disclosed whether the firearm was officially issued to Samuel, whether he was authorised to carry it at the time or how many rounds were allegedly discharged.
There was also no confirmed report of injuries resulting directly from the gunfire.
The suspect was subsequently taken into police custody as investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The command said he would be charged before a competent court upon the conclusion of investigations, subject to the evidence gathered.
The allegations against Samuel have not been determined by a court, and he remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Reacting to the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged personnel of other security agencies operating within the territory to maintain proper coordination with the police.
He stressed that officers undertaking security-related activities should communicate with the relevant police divisions to avoid misunderstandings, unnecessary confrontations and incidents capable of threatening public safety.
The commissioner emphasised the importance of cooperation among security agencies, particularly when operations involve armed personnel in densely populated locations.
His remarks followed concerns arising from the reported confrontation at Kubwa Market, where traders and other members of the public were present when the alleged gunfire occurred.
Markets are among the busiest commercial environments in Abuja, bringing together traders, customers, transport operators and other residents conducting daily activities.
The discharge of a firearm in such a setting can create panic and expose bystanders to danger, even where shots are reportedly fired into the air rather than directly at individuals.
Bullets discharged upwards can return to the ground with sufficient force to cause serious injuries, making celebratory, warning or intimidatory gunfire a significant public safety concern.
The incident also raises questions about the appropriate conduct of security personnel when responding to disputes involving family members or other private interests.
Security officers are expected to act within the law and follow applicable rules governing the possession and use of firearms.
Where an officer believes that a relative has been assaulted, the allegation can be reported to the appropriate law-enforcement authorities for investigation.
Such complaints do not, by themselves, establish a legal justification for discharging a firearm in a public marketplace.
However, determining whether Samuel committed any criminal or disciplinary offence will require investigators to establish the relevant facts, including the circumstances of the confrontation, the firearm's status and the applicable rules governing its use.
The NSCDC is a federal paramilitary agency with statutory responsibilities that include protecting critical national infrastructure and supporting internal security operations.
Its personnel frequently operate alongside the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies, making coordination important in preventing jurisdictional disputes and maintaining public confidence.
The police commissioner's appeal for closer cooperation therefore extends beyond the immediate incident to the broader responsibilities of security institutions operating in the FCT.
The command has not announced whether the NSCDC has commenced a separate internal disciplinary investigation or whether the agency has issued an official response concerning Samuel's arrest.
There is also no confirmed information indicating that any of the traders involved in the alleged assault on the officer's wife have been arrested or questioned.
Those issues remain relevant to establishing the complete circumstances of the confrontation.
For now, the police investigation is expected to examine the reported gunfire, the events preceding it and any evidence connecting the suspect to possible offences.
The outcome will determine whether formal charges are filed and whether the matter proceeds to trial.
The case highlights the importance of lawful firearm handling, restraint and effective cooperation among security agencies, particularly in public spaces where disputes can quickly endanger uninvolved residents.
As investigations continue, the FCT Police Command has maintained that the suspect remains in custody and that further legal action will depend on the findings.
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