Residents of Jos were thrown into panic on Saturday after officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), operating under the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), opened fire during a raid at the S.O Plaza shopping complex.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred during an operation to impound a heavy-duty vehicle allegedly violating restrictions on large trucks entering the city. The operation quickly escalated into violence, with officers reportedly firing shots and assaulting a young worker at the plaza.

Video evidence circulating contradicts the NSCDC's claims about the operation. The footage shows that the targeted vehicle was properly parked within the premises of the plaza and not obstructing traffic as alleged by the officers.

Solomon Okeke, owner of S.O Plaza, condemned the operation as reckless and destructive. He revealed that this was not the first such incident, stating that in August last year, JMDB officials shot six tires of a parked truck inside the same premises, resulting in significant financial losses.

"During this recent raid, the officers confiscated a truck loaded with goods, beat up a 19-year-old staff member, tore his clothes, and have not disclosed his whereabouts," Okeke alleged.

The confrontation intensified as traders and local residents protested against what they described as excessive force and property destruction by the officers. Community members from Bukuru have called on Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, to intervene and restrain the JMDB officers.

Efforts by reporters to obtain comments from JMDB General Manager, Architect Hart Bankat, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as he did not respond to inquiries.

This incident adds to growing concerns about the conduct of security operatives in Plateau State, which has already been dealing with various security challenges in recent months.