A security detail attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, November 19, fired a gunshot that killed a newspaper vendor in Abuja.
In a statement released on his social media handles, the
Speaker while expressing his regret over the unfortunate incident, gave an
account of how it happened. Gbajabiamila said the security detail has been
suspended from his convoy and he has ordered an investigation into the
incident.
Read his statement below
''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 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.
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.''
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