The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended Deputy Superintendent of Corps DSC Onoja Babayo Samuel following his arrest by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for allegedly discharging firearm rounds into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja. Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has equally ordered an internal disciplinary hearing to ascertain the extent of the officer's liability in the incident.
National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, made this known through a media statement released over the weekend in the nation's capital. According to the release, the altercation transpired on October 25, prompting the agency's leadership to strongly condemn the operative's behavior.
What led to the Kubwa Market confrontation?
Reports indicate that a female associate of the officer got into a disagreement with a local butcher. When the NSCDC operative intervened to support his acquaintance, the situation quickly deteriorated as a group of unidentified youths allegedly attempted to overpower him. Witnesses reported that the armed officer discharged his weapon into the atmosphere in an effort to disperse the hostile crowd.
Nevertheless, the service management stated that the operative's response constituted a severe contravention of engagement protocols and an unauthorized use of service weapons, violating the institutional Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
What disciplinary measures are being taken?
Afolabi stated that Commandant General Audi, who enforces a strict zero- tolerance policy regarding weapon misuse and professional deviance, directed the prompt suspension of the personnel. Consequently, the officer has been stripped of all official duties and relieved of his current posting while internal investigations proceed.
An established investigative committee at the agency's national headquarters in Abuja will oversee the disciplinary proceedings. The administration promised that findings from the Orderly Room Trial and subsequent administrative actions will be disclosed publicly upon finalization.
The leadership reassured residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large that the organization remains dedicated to safeguarding citizens and maintaining strict operational discipline, emphasizing that no personnel engaging in actions that endanger public safety or breach guidelines will be shielded.