My husband’s death not accidental, alleges wife of NSCDC officer

The family of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, DSC Adams Adekunle Emmanuel (45), has alleged that he was shot and killed by a colleague while on duty last Sunday. The incident reportedly occurred in the morning at a hotel in the Life Camp area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Speaking […]

The family of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, DSC Adams Adekunle Emmanuel (45), has alleged that he was shot and killed by a colleague while on duty last Sunday.

The incident reportedly occurred in the morning at a hotel in the Life Camp area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking to Abuja Metro, the deceased’s widow, Mrs. Titilayo Adams, said the family suspects foul play.

“We can visibly see gunshot wounds on his shoulders, and nothing strong indicates that it was an accidental discharge. They want to cover up what actually occurred,” she alleged.

She further stated that her husband’s body was deposited at Maitama General Hospital without the family’s consent.

According to her, the late officer, who was attached to a politician in the Life Camp area, left home on Sunday, August 31st, with plans to return Sunday, September 7th.

“He left the house on Sunday, August 31st, and was supposed to return home that same Sunday,” she said.

Mrs. Adams added that the family was only informed of his death by a colleague, identified as Mr. Emmanuel, on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s after Sunday service that his colleague, Mr. Emmanuel, came to inform us that he mistakenly shot himself multiple times, which led to his death. And we learned that Emmanuel himself wasn’t at the spot where it happened. He was called and informed about the incident,” she said.

She expressed frustration over the conflicting accounts provided to the family.

“We suspect that there’s foul play in the whole incident. We were given three conflicting reports about what led to his death: one, it was an accidental discharge while he was fixing his rifle; two, it was friendly fire, meaning his colleague accidentally shot him; and three, he shot in the air and the bullet bounced back on him,” she said.

Mrs. Adams lamented that the family has been left in the dark and has yet to receive any official communication from NSCDC authorities.

“The authorities concerned said they were coming to see us, but no one has contacted us to brief us about the mysterious incident that led to my husband’s untimely death,” she said.

She appealed for justice and support, highlighting the hardship the family now faces. “My husband left behind his parents and two children, who supposedly resumed school today, and our house rent has also expired. They should also take care of his burial rites. I have no job to cater for the children – all I want is justice for my husband.”

The spokesperson of the NSCDC, Afolabi Babawale, confirmed the incident to one of our reporters when contacted yesterday, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Also, an NSCDC source confirmed that the colleague involved in the shooting is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as part of an ongoing investigation into the fatal mishap.

The source assured the public that the case would be thoroughly investigated to determine how the incident occurred and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Meanwhile, a few days ago, eight personnel of the NSCDC were killed in a deadly ambush near the BUA Cement Factory in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area in Edo State.

According to NSCDC spokesperson Efosa Ogbebor, the gunmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire at the factory’s entrance, killing eight officers and one civilian driver instantly.

Four other NSCDC officers sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.