Newspaper vendors in Abuja have taken to streets to protest the killing of their fellow vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke Elechi.
Elechi was hit by a stray bullet from a security aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday evening.
The Speaker confirmed the incident in a statement released in the early hours of Friday.
According to Gbajabiamila, Elechi was shot by the stray bullet, which was intended to disperse a crowd that had gathered while he was exchanging pleasantries with the newspaper vendors on his way out of the National Assembly.
Speaker of the House of Representatives released a statement concerning the incident stating that the officer at fault has been suspended and handed over to the DSS for proper investigation. he promised to meet with Ifeanyi Elechi’s family as well as support his wife and children.
In a series of tweets earlier, he narrated the incident.
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.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
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.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
I am personally distraught about this incident and my deepest sympathies go to the victim, his family and Abuja vendors.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
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.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
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.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
In the meantime; the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
I have caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
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.
— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) November 20, 2020
