By Deborah Hassan
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, has explained how a security aide attached to his convoy shot a newspaper vendor to death at the Federal Secretariat, 3 Arms Zone, facing the parliament building.
Gbajabiamila, who narrated how the shooting occurred in a series of tweets posted on his Twitter account at 2: 35 am, said he was distraught by the unfortunate incident.
He said the “horrible” act was done without his knowledge, adding that he was only briefed about the occurrence hours later.
The Speaker wrote, “A horrible incident has taken place. This evening 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 sir 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.
He added that he has, “In the meantime; the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
“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 victim, Ifeanyi Okereke, died of the gunshot wound at the National Hospital where he was rushed to by his brother and some police officers.
Okereke and other street vendors selling on the Shehu Shagari Way, Three Arms Zone, had flocked around the convoy of the Speaker, who was said to be in the habit of giving out money anytime he passed them when the incident happened.
Photo credit: Punch Newspaper.