The Department of State Service (SSS) has detained its officer who shot dead a newspaper vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke, in Abuja.
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunnaya, the service said it has also withdrawn the officer, who is a security detail to Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila from the beat.
“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the allegation of shooting and killing of one Ifeanyi Okereke by a security aide of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“The Service hereby confirms that the suspect is one of its personnel deployed to the Speaker’s Convoy as a security detail. And as already stated by the Speaker that he has been suspended from his Convoy, the Service has further withdrawn him from the assignment.” the statement read in part.
The Service also noted that it has launched an investigation into the matter and promised to be transparent in handling it.
“As part of its disciplinary procedures in the instance, he has been taken into detention. In addition, the Service has opened a detailed investigation into the matter.
“While it pledges to be transparent and accountable in handling this, it is liaising with appropriate authorities to achieve this objective.”
“The Service condoles with the family of the deceased and his loved ones. It has promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and will surely keep to this,” Afunnaya said in the statement.
