A chaotic and violent scene unfolded at Garki International Market on Thursday night, as officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command were called to quell a protest that erupted following the alleged killing of a fashion designer by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS). The incident left several people injured and prompted an immediate response from law enforcement.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when a customer brought the DSS official to the victim’s clothing store, accusing the fashion designer, identified as Muhammad Habibu, of failing to deliver clothes on an agreed-upon date. Tensions escalated as some of Habibu’s colleagues intervened in an attempt to mediate the dispute, but their efforts only served to further aggravate the situation.
The situation took a tragic turn when a gunshot was heard, resulting in the fatal shooting of the fashion designer, Muhammad Habibu, and injuring another individual. The DSS operative responsible for the shooting was subsequently arrested and detained by the police at the Wuse Market Police Station, pending a comprehensive investigation.
Speaking anonymously, a trader in the market provided an account of the incident: “A female customer of the fashion designer brought the DSS operative. She said the fashion designer did not sew her clothes. Her colleagues joined and defended her. The issue led to a serious argument. We later heard a gunshot and learned that the fashion designer had been killed and another injured. The DSS operative was arrested and detained at Wuse Market Police Station. That is where all our people are now.”
In response to the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, issued a statement: “In an incident at Garki International Market on September 7, 2023, an altercation arose between market occupants and certain individuals, including a DSS personnel and a tailor named Muhammad Habibu. The Garki Divisional Police station mobilized officers in response to a received distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals, who fired shots at a tailor known as Mubarak Mubarak.”
Adeh continued, “This incident led to some of the local youths reacting angrily and attempting to confront the DSS personnel involved. In response, the police intervened to rescue the individuals and protect public safety. During the incident, there was damage to a section of the Police outpost as some of the irate youths acted in a disorderly manner. It is important to note that some weapons used in the commotion have been recovered, and normalcy has now been restored.”
Commissioner of Police, FCT, Haruna Garba, emphasized the commitment to maintaining peace and respecting the rights of all citizens within the FCT. He urged market occupants to refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property and encouraged the public to utilize police emergency lines for assistance when needed.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) released a statement through its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, indicating that the secret police had launched an investigation into the matter. Afunanya stated, “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 a proper disciplinary measure(s) to its staff if found culpable or running foul of the Standard Operating Procedures on dealing with a member of the public.”
The incident at Garki International Market has left the community in shock and uncertainty as investigations continue to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing of the fashion designer, Muhammad Habibu, and the events that followed.
