Shock in Abuja: Civil Defence Officer Accidentally Guns Down Colleague During Routine Duty

Abuja, September 8, 2025 – What was supposed to be a routine assignment in Nigeria’s capital turned into a tragedy when an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) fatally shot a colleague in an accidental discharge.

According to security sources, the incident happened on Sunday morning around 10:20 a.m. in the Life Camp area of Abuja. The officers, attached to a protective detail, were leaving Corner View Hotel en route to a principal’s residence in Lias Estate when disaster struck.

One of the operatives reportedly mishandled his weapon, releasing a shot that struck Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) Adekunle Emmanuel on his upper left arm. Emmanuel was rushed to Maitama General Hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead shortly after arrival. His remains have since been deposited in the morgue pending an autopsy.

The shooter, whose name has not yet been released as at the time of filing this report, has been taken into custody and is undergoing questioning as authorities piece together the circumstances of the tragedy.

This latest incident has reignited debate over firearm discipline within Nigeria’s security agencies. The NSCDC, responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure and supporting internal security, prides itself on rigorous training. However, accidental discharges remain a recurring problem across Nigeria’s security forces.

Security experts note that despite improved weapons handling courses, lapses still occur, often linked to fatigue, stress, or poor firearm maintenance. In recent years, similar incidents have been recorded among the police and military, raising calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols.