Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has called for a full investigation into the alleged killing of two men by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Karmajiji community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The organisation made the call in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday. It described the incident as an extrajudicial execution and a serious abuse of power by security operatives who are meant to protect lives.
According to Amnesty International, the incident occurred on January 19, 2026, and involved a DSS operative identified as Ajayi Abayomi. The rights group said the matter raises fresh concerns about the conduct of security agencies and the use of force against civilians.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) must investigate the extrajudicial execution of two persons by its personnel Ajayi Abayomi,” the organisation said.
“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.”
Amnesty International identified the two victims as Musa Adamu and Mallam Suleiman Salisu.
According to the statement, Musa Adamu died a few hours after the incident. The second victim, Mallam Suleiman Salisu, reportedly battled for his life for several days before he died on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.
The organisation said the deaths of the two men have thrown the Karmajiji community into mourning and fear, as residents struggle to understand how an encounter with security operatives could end in such a tragic way.
Amnesty International stressed that the loss of lives under such circumstances must not be ignored or treated lightly.
“The DSS must investigate this horrifying incident and ensure that the suspect is brought to justice through fair trial,” the organisation said.
“This gross violation of human rights must not be swept under the carpet.”
The rights group insisted that anyone found responsible for the killings must be held accountable, regardless of their position or uniform.
According to Amnesty International, extrajudicial killings violate both Nigerian law and international human rights standards, which guarantee the right to life and fair hearing.
The organisation warned that failure to properly investigate and punish such actions could encourage further abuses by security operatives.
“Misconduct by security operatives poses a serious threat to public safety and trust,” the statement said.
“While security personnel are supposed to protect people, gradually some of them are unleashing terror on the society, creating a toxic climate of fear and corruption.”
Amnesty International noted that repeated allegations of unlawful killings and abuse by security agencies have continued to weaken public trust in law enforcement across Nigeria.
According to the organisation, when citizens begin to fear those meant to protect them, it creates a dangerous situation where people feel unsafe even in their own communities.
“These actions undermine trust and leave people vulnerable to wanton atrocities,” the group said.
In recent years, several cases of alleged abuse by security agencies have been reported in different parts of the country. Human rights groups have repeatedly called on the government to address the problem through better training, strict discipline and transparent investigations.
Amnesty International also raised concern about what it described as the growing involvement of security operatives in civil matters.
The organisation said it was worried that some security personnel go beyond their lawful duties by intervening in disputes that are purely civil in nature.
“Amnesty International is deeply concerned that in addition to their stated remit of ensuring law and order, some security personnel investigate civil matters,” the statement said.
It added that in some cases, security operatives have allegedly tortured suspects involved in contractual, business and even non-criminal disputes.
According to the group, such actions amount to abuse of office and further expose civilians to danger.
Nigeria has faced long-standing challenges with security and human rights. While security agencies play a key role in fighting crime, terrorism and other threats, concerns have often been raised about the methods used in carrying out their duties.
The DSS, formerly known as the State Security Service, is responsible for internal security, intelligence gathering and the protection of key government officials and facilities. It operates under strict rules that guide the use of force.
However, human rights groups have accused some officers of acting outside the law, especially during arrests, interrogations and community operations.
Extrajudicial killings, which refer to the killing of individuals without a lawful trial or court order, are illegal under Nigerian law and international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Although details of what led to the Karmajiji incident have not been officially released, residents of the area are said to be worried and angry over the deaths.
Community leaders and residents have reportedly called for justice for the victims and demanded assurances that such an incident will not happen again.
Some residents fear that without a proper investigation, the case may be forgotten, leaving families of the victims without closure.
Amnesty International urged the DSS to immediately launch an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
The organisation also called on the Nigerian government to ensure that any officer found guilty is prosecuted according to the law.
It further urged authorities to put measures in place to prevent future cases of abuse, including better oversight of security agencies and clear consequences for misconduct.
Human rights activists say that holding security operatives accountable will not weaken the system but rather strengthen it by restoring public confidence.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the DSS regarding Amnesty International’s claims.
There has also been no public statement confirming or denying the alleged involvement of its personnel in the incident.
The Karmajiji incident has once again brought to the fore calls for security sector reform in Nigeria.
Rights groups and civil society organisations have continued to push for improved training on human rights, proper use of force and strict punishment for officers who break the law.
They argue that protecting human rights is key to lasting peace and security.