The Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s secret police, has announced that it has formed an in-house investigative team to look into the incident involving its personnel and members of the public at Garki Market, Abuja. This development follows a report by SaharaReporters on September 8, revealing that the DSS had initiated an investigation into the shooting of a fashion designer at Garki International Market by its personnel, who were allegedly on unauthorized duty.
According to SaharaReporters’ findings, the altercation began when DSS personnel, who were brought to confront the fashion designer by one of his customers due to a dispute over clothes allegedly given to him for sewing, resorted to firing their weapons, injuring the fashion designer in the process. Additionally, a stray bullet from the incident struck a salesgirl who was seated in her shop.
In response to these events, the DSS released a statement on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya. The statement acknowledged the DSS’s commitment to covering the medical expenses of the two injured individuals and confirmed that the necessary payments had already been made.
The statement, titled “UPDATE ON THE GARKI MARKET, ABUJA, INCIDENT INVOLVING DSS STAFF,” further indicated that the DSS had visited the hospitals where the victims were receiving medical treatment.
The statement read in part: “It should be recalled that on September 7, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) issued a statement regarding an incident at Garki Market, Abuja, involving its personnel and members of the public. We wish to inform the public that the DSS has established an internal investigative team to look into the matter. While the investigation is ongoing, representatives of the DSS have visited the two injured individuals at their respective hospitals, taking full responsibility for their medical bills. To demonstrate our commitment, we have offered to transfer them to our world-class medical facility in Abuja. These actions are not an admission of guilt, as the investigation is still ongoing, but a show of empathy, financial support, and a commitment to justice for the victims.”
The statement went on to explain, “While we maintain regular contact with the victims’ families or guardians, we will continue to monitor their recovery and progress. The DSS assures the public that both victims are in good spirits and responding well to treatment.”
The statement concluded, “It is important to note that the DSS has not interfered with the police investigation, which is holding in custody a DSS staff member suspected to be involved in the incident. The DSS’s stance is in line with its dedication to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Updates of this nature will be provided to the public until the matter is fully resolved.”