By Adedoyin Falolu
Abuja
The House of Representatives Speaker, Rt. Honourble Femi Gbajabiamila has described the killing of a newspaper vendor by his security detail as “horrible”.
According to a Press release, he said, “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”.
Gbajabiamila stated as 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”, he said.
The Speaker has immediately suspended the security man who shot in the air and has ordered investigation into what happened.
Gbajabiamila who stated further, “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.”