The Department of State Services (DSS) has been urged to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killing of two individuals by one of its personnel, Ajayi Abayomi, in Karmajiji community, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident reportedly occurred on 19 January 2026 and has raised renewed concerns over the unlawful use of firearms and abuse of power by security operatives.
One of the victims, Musa Adamu, was said to have died a few hours after the incident, while the second victim, Mallam Suleiman Salisu, died on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.
Rights advocates insist that the DSS must ensure a transparent investigation and that any personnel found culpable should be subjected to due process and a fair trial. They warned that such grave violations of human rights must not be ignored or concealed.
While security agencies are constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property, critics argue that repeated incidents of excessive force by some operatives are fostering fear, eroding public trust, and exposing citizens to abuses. They note that such actions undermine confidence in law enforcement institutions and weaken the rule of law.
The Karmajiji incident is not isolated. On 7 September 2023, a DSS operative reportedly killed a fashion designer at the Garki International Market, Abuja, during an altercation linked to a civil dispute. That case also sparked public outrage and calls for accountability.
Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over a growing pattern in which some security personnel allegedly exceed their mandate by intervening in civil matters and, in some instances, subjecting individuals involved in contractual or business disputes to intimidation and torture.
The organisation reiterated its call for security agencies to adhere strictly to human rights standards, stressing that accountability and respect for the law are essential to restoring public confidence and preventing further abuses.
