The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly firing gunshots during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps, according to a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday after the Kubwa Police Division received a distress call about a man armed with a pistol and firing shots into the air at the market.

Preliminary investigations indicated that Samuel allegedly went to the market with a pistol after receiving reports that some traders had assaulted his wife.

Police said the officer engaged the traders in an argument before allegedly firing several shots into the air, prompting security operatives to intervene.

The circumstances surrounding the reported assault on his wife were not fully detailed in the initial police account.

According to the police, officers arrested Samuel and recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from him.

He remains in police custody and is expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

The command has not announced any charges against the traders over the alleged assault on the officer’s wife.

The incident has raised concerns about the use of firearms by security personnel during disputes in public places.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, urged officers of sister security agencies operating in the territory to coordinate with local police divisions before undertaking operations.

He stressed that proper coordination among security agencies was necessary to prevent incidents that could endanger residents and disrupt public order.

The allegations against Samuel remain subject to investigation and have not been established by a court.