Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has sadly recounted how a security officer attached to his convoy killed a newspapers’ vendor in Abuja.
The vendor, who’s simply identified as Ifeanyi, was fell by stray bullets when security men attached to the speaker shot into the air to disperse “unidentified men” who obstructed the convoy.
Gbajabiamila described the incident as horrible, saying he’s “personally distraught” and offered his deepest sympathies to the deceased’s family and Abuja vendors.
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The speaker added that as someone who has value for human life and respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status, he has caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.
Gbajabiamila also said the security officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.
According to him, “A horrible incident has taken place. This evening (November 19) 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.
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“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.”
Idowu Sowunmi
