The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed deep grief over the shooting of a newspaper vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke by one of his security details in Abuja.
The incident, occurred at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday evening when Okereke and other street vendors selling on the Shehu Shagari Way, Three Arms Zone, flocked around the convoy of the Speaker, who usually stops by to interact with them.
The victim who was shot in the head was subsequently rushed to the National Hospital by his brother and some police officers where he later died.
Reacting to the dastardly act, Gbajabiamila said the Police Officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from his convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The Speaker in a statement he personally signed early Friday morning said: “A horrible incident has taken place. This evening (Thursday) as I left the National Assembly, I stopped as usual to exchange pleasantries with the newspaper vendors at the corner. Many of them have known me since I first moved to Abuja and it was a friendly exchange.
“Unfortunately, after the convoy set out in continuation of movement, unidentified men obstructed the convoy which got the attention of security men in the convoy who shot into the air to disperse them.
“Some hours later, after getting to our destination, it was brought to my attention that someone was hit by a stray bullet, contrary to an earlier report by men in the convoy that they applied their security discretion to shoot in the air.
“I have caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.
“My value for human life and my respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status – is what endeared me to these vendors and these are the reasons why I stop my convoy quite often to connect with them. For one of them to have been shot by my security detail is horrific and I cannot begin to imagine the grief and loss Ifeanyi’s family must feel on this sad day. No family should have to go through this.
“I am personally distraught about this incident and my deepest sympathies go to the victim, his family and Abuja vendors”.
The gruesome act happened barely 24 hours after Gbajabiamila led stakeholders to a Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue Series, and Presentation of a Draft Copy of Police Service Commission (Reform) Bill 2020 which amongst others seeks to end police brutality.
The Speaker has been in the forefront of police reforms and has been meeting with critical stakeholders to enact relevant laws, following the recent #EndSars protests.
