A male vendor has died of gunshot wound to the head allegedly fired by speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s Aid in Abuja.
In a statement personally signed by the Speaker, he said a full investigation into the incident has begun.
Punch newspaper had on Thursday evening reported that the incident happened at about 3 p.m. around the federal secretariat, which is the closest establishment to the Three Arms Zone.
The victim, Ifeanyi Okereke, was rushed to the National Hospital by his colleagues after being hit by the bullet.
The spokesperson of the National Hospital, Tayo Haastrup, confirmed that the victim died after sustaining gunshot injury to the head.
Gbajabiamila’s Story:
Speaker Gbajabiamila said, “shots were fired into the air when some unidentified men obstructed his convoy”. He said the victim was hit by a stray bullet.
“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.
“In the meantime; the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
Gbajabiamila further wrote, “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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