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By John Ogunsemore
Amnesty International Nigeria has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate an Abuja shooting incident involving one of its operatives identified as Ajayi Abayomi.
A bullet allegedly fired by Abayomi on January 19 at Karmajiji village in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reportedly killed two persons.
One of the victims, Musa Adamu, died hours after the incident while the second victim, Mallam Suleiman Salisu, died on Wednesday, January 28 at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
Daily Trust reports that the incident that led to the shooting occurred during a traffic gridlock.
The DSS operative, who drove a Peugeot 406, reportedly had a disagreement with a pickup driver whom he accused of obstructing traffic.
The driver’s pickup vehicle had suddenly broken down at the junction leading to Karmajiji village.
Abayomi, who was caught in the resultiing traffic jam, reportedly alighted from his vehicle and slapped the driver.
During the ensuing altercation, the DSS operative was said to have returned to his vehicle, brought out a pistol and pulled the trigger.
The bullet reportedly hit Musa Adamu, who was seated in front of a shop a few metres away.
Also hit were two other residents, identified as Salisu Suleiman and Yakubu Samaila, who sat nearby.
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In a statement released on Thursday, Amnesty said the DSS operative must be held accountable, describing his alleged action as “extrajudicial execution”.
The human rights group said, “The Department of State Services (DSS) must investigate the extrajudicial execution of two persons by its personnel Ajayi Abayomi.
“The incident which occurred on 19 January 2026 at Karmajiji community of the Federal Capital Territory is yet another indication of reckless and unlawful use of firearms and abuse of power.
“The first victim Musa Adamu died a few hours after the incident. The second victim Mallam Suleiman Salisu, died on Wednesday, January 28, at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
“The DSS must investigate this horrifying incident and ensure that the suspect is brought to justice through fair trial.
“This gross violation of human rights must not be swept under the carpet.”
Amnesty maintained that security personnel are supposed to protect people but some of them are unleashing terror on the society and creating a toxic climate of fear and corruption.
It added, “Such incidents undermine trust and leave people vulnerable to wanton atrocities.
“On 7 September 2023, a DSS operative killed a fashion designer at Garki International Market during an altercation with his girlfriend’s tailor.
“The DSS operative’s girlfriend brought him with a loaded gun because the fashion designer did not sew her clothes on time.
“Amnesty International deeply concerned that in addition to their stated remit of ensuring law and order, some security personnel investigate civil matters and in some cases tortures suspects involved in contractual, business and even non-criminal disputes.”
