Police arrest NSCDC officer for shooting in Abuja market

The police in Abuja have arrested a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Onoja Samuel. He was caught firing shots into the air during a fight with traders at a market in the Kubwa area.

According to the police, Samuel went to the market with a gun after hearing that some traders had attacked his wife. On Wednesday, SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, stated that officers from the Kubwa Police Division quickly went to the market and arrested him after taking his gun away.

"On 25th October, 2026, around 1:50 pm, we got a call at Kubwa Police Division. Someone reported that an unknown man was shooting into the air at a market in Kubwa, Abuja.

"When we received the report, police officers from Kubwa were quickly sent to the scene. They worked hard and managed to disarm the suspect and arrest him.

"Initial investigations showed that the suspect is Onoja Samuel, a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

"Further checks revealed that he came to the market with a gun because some traders had assaulted his wife. During an argument with the traders, he fired several shots into the air," Adeh said.

The police spokesperson mentioned that they found a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition with the suspect when he was arrested.

She added that the NSCDC officer is still in police custody and will face charges once the investigations are complete.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, called on personnel from other security agencies to be careful. He asked them to inform the police about any operations they plan to carry out.

"Members of other security agencies are urged to be cautious and notify the Police Divisions responsible for their planned operations within the FCT. This will help ensure proper coordination and avoid clashes," he said.