An unruly operative of the Department of State Services, DSS, Thursday shot a tailor at the Garki International Market, causing pandemonium and near mob action.
Eye-witness accounts at the market said trouble began when the tailor failed to meet a production deadline leading to an argument with the DSS operative who drew his service pistol and shot the tailor in the leg.
A mob gathered to intervene only for the gun man to fire more shots. A stray bullet allegedly shattered the jaw of a lady walking out of the Zenith Bank branch inside the market.
The mob grew in size, calling for the head of the culprit. He was reportedly rescued by policemen at the Market Police Post. Tear gas canisters were indiscriminately fired as gunshots boomed inside the sprawling market.
Hapless traders and customers ran for their lives, for the market to close abruptly about 5pm.
The DSS in a response issued by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said the secret police responded to an SOS from their field operatives who allegedly came under a mob attack in the said market.
His statement reads: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to an incident that occurred a few hours ago (today, 7/9/2023) between its staff and a mob at the Garki Market, Abuja. Information at the disposal of the Service was that its FCT Command responded to an SOS from their field operatives who allegedly came under a mob attack in the said market.
“Consequently, the Service has commenced an investigation into the matter. The public is assured that details of the inquiries will be communicated as soon as possible. The Service assures that it will not hesitate to mete out proper disciplinary measure(s) to its staff if found culpable or running foul of Standard Operating Procedures on dealing with a member of the public. “