By Prevail Inegbenose
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has suspended Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Onoja Babayo Samuel over his alleged involvement in the shooting incident at Kubwa Market in Abuja on October 25.
The Corps also ordered an Orderly Room Trial and referred the officer to its disciplinary committee to determine his level of culpability in the incident.
The NSCDC management, in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, on Thursday, said the officer was arrested by the FCT Police Command for allegedly firing shots into the air during a confrontation with traders at the market.
The Corps described the officer’s alleged action as a gross violation of its rules of engagement and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), particularly those governing the use of firearms.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who maintains zero tolerance for the misuse of firearms and professional misconduct, directed the immediate suspension of the officer pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.
Following his suspension, Samuel has been stripped of all official responsibilities and relieved of his assignment until the investigations and disciplinary processes are concluded.
According to the statement, the disciplinary committee at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja will examine the matter alongside the Orderly Room Trial.
The NSCDC management added that the outcome of the internal disciplinary proceedings would be made public upon conclusion.
Audi reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives, maintaining professional standards and ensuring public safety, stressing that no officer would be shielded from accountability for actions that violate operational guidelines.
The Corps reiterated that misconduct involving the misuse of firearms would attract appropriate sanctions.
