Gbajabiamila claims innocence after police aide shot newspaper vendor dead
Gbajabiamila, who is yet to name the officer who fired the shot, has a different version of the story.
A police officer attached to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has reportedly shot a newspaper vendor dead in Abuja.
The shooting took place at about 3 p.m. on Thursday around the federal secretariat, which is the closest establishment to the Three Arms Zone, Punch reported.
According to Premium Times, the area is a known spot for newspaper vendors, many of whom receive various gifts from lawmakers and other dignitaries who stop by the traffic light.
Reports say Ifeanyi Okereke was approaching Femi Gbajabiamila who had stopped to dole out cash when police shot him in the head.
The newspaper vendor was rushed to the National Hospital where the medical facility’s spokesperson Tayo Haastrup later confirmed him dead.
But Gbajabiamila, who is yet to name the officer who fired the shot, has a different version of the story.
The Speaker said, “shots were fired into the air when some unidentified men obstructed his convoy,” adding that Okereke was hit by a stray bullet.
“A horrible incident has taken place,” Gbajabiamila said after the incident.
“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,” the Speaker said.
