NSCDC Officer Onoja Samuel: Suspended After Abuja Market Shooting

• NSCDC Deputy Superintendent Onoja Babayo Samuel was suspended following an alleged sporadic shooting incident.
• The incident occurred on October 25, 2026, at Kubwa Market in Abuja during a confrontation with traders.
• The FCT Police Command arrested Samuel after he reportedly went to the market armed, claiming his wife was assaulted.
• The NSCDC initiated an Orderly Room Trial, stating the officer's conduct violated rules of engagement and standard operating procedures.
• Commandant-General Ahmed Audi directed the suspension, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for firearm misuse and professional misconduct.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, personally directed the immediate suspension of the personnel and the initiation of disciplinary actions, signaling a strong institutional stance.

On October 25, 2026, a significant incident unfolded at Kubwa Market in Abuja, involving Deputy Superintendent of Corps, Onoja Babayo Samuel, an officer with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Samuel is alleged to have engaged in sporadic shooting during a heated confrontation with traders at the bustling market. This alarming event quickly drew the attention of law enforcement, leading to his subsequent arrest by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. Police reports indicated that the officer had arrived at the market armed with a pistol, reportedly in response to allegations that his wife had been assaulted by some traders.

The FCT Police Command acted swiftly after receiving a distress call detailing an armed individual firing shots into the air within the market premises. Police operatives from the Kubwa Division were immediately dispatched to the scene. Their rapid intervention resulted in the successful disarming and apprehension of the NSCDC officer, effectively de-escalating the dangerous situation. SP Josephine Adeh, the police spokesperson, later confirmed these details, outlining the sequence of events that led to the FCT Police arrest NSCDC officer.

In the aftermath of the Kubwa Market shooting NSCDC incident, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps took decisive action, immediately suspending Deputy Superintendent Onoja Babayo Samuel. Beyond the suspension, the corps also ordered an Orderly Room Trial to meticulously investigate the officer's conduct and determine his precise level of culpability in the alleged offense. This swift and firm response underscores the institution's commitment to maintaining discipline and accountability among its personnel.

Babawale Afolabi, the NSCDC's National Public Relations Officer, released a statement confirming that Samuel's actions were considered a gross violation of the corps’ established rules of engagement and standard operating procedures. As a direct consequence, the officer has been stripped of all his official responsibilities and relieved of his assignment, a status that will remain until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded. A specialized committee based at the national headquarters in Abuja has been tasked with handling the intricate details of the matter, and the NSCDC has pledged to make the outcome of the Orderly Room Trial NSCDC officer and the entire internal disciplinary process public once finalized.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Audi, personally directed the immediate suspension of the personnel and the initiation of disciplinary actions, signaling a strong institutional stance. Audi has consistently articulated a zero-tolerance policy for the misuse of firearms or any form of professional misconduct by officers under his command. This Ahmed Audi NSCDC directive emphasizes the stringent standards expected from all personnel and the serious repercussions for failing to meet them.

The Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps suspension of Officer Samuel serves as a clear reaffirmation of the organization's core commitment to protecting the lives of citizens and upholding the highest professional standards within its ranks. The corps issued a stark warning, making it unequivocally clear that it will neither tolerate nor shield any officer whose actions endanger public safety or violate the established operational guidelines. This resolute position aims to ensure public trust and reinforce the integrity of the security agency.

This incident highlights the strict disciplinary actions and accountability mechanisms within Nigerian security agencies for professional misconduct and misuse of firearms. Lawyers representing officers or individuals affected by such incidents should note the internal investigation process and potential for criminal charges, while compliance officers should reinforce training on rules of engagement and standard operating procedures to mitigate similar risks.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Newspapers.