The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has distanced itself from the security aide attached to House of Reps Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who fired the gun that killed a newspaper vendor on Thursday.
In a statement released on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, it was stated that the security agent, who fired the shot was not a policeman, according to preliminary investigations.
She said the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP. Bala Ciroma, has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident.
“The FCT Police Command wishes to unequivocally refute the allegation making round sections of the media that a Police officer attached to the convoy of the Speaker of the House of Representatives shot at a newspaper vendor within the Three Arm Zone on Thursday 19th November,2020,” the statement reads.
“Contrary to the misleading information, preliminary investigation into the unfortunate incident reveals that the security aide who shot at the vendor is not a member of the Nigeria Police Force.
“However, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP. Bala Ciroma, has ordered a discreet investigation into the incident.
“While commiserating with the family and friends of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police wishes to guarantee members of the public that the Command will be lucid in its investigation and ensure the findings are made public.”
However, Mr Gbajabiamila has identified the security aide as Abdullahi Hassan.
Gbajabiamila confirmed that Hassan, who until yesterday was a security officer attached to him, is an agent of the Department of State Services .
The Speaker disclosed this in his second statement on Friday.
The Speaker, who vowed to get justice for the deceased, disclosed that he had contacted Okereke’s family members and would meet with them.
The statement read, “The unfortunate death of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke at the hands of one of my security aides has left me deeply shaken.
“Mr Okereke was a citizen going about his business, trying to make a living for himself and his family. There is no reason for his life to have ended the way it did.
“This morning, I have handed over the security operative, Abdullahi M. Hassan, to the Department of State Security (DSS) for investigation and appropriate administrative and judicial action. In the interim, he has been suspended from the convoy.
“l expect, and I will see to it that the family of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke receives the full measure of justice so that their bereavement is not compounded by any actions that can cause them further pain and suffering.
“I have expressed my personal condolence to his family and have arranged to meet with them when the parents of Mr Okereke, who are already on their way, arrive in Abuja.
“Additionally, I have committed to them that I will support his wife and the immediate family he has left behind.
“I commiserate with the family of Mr Ifeanyi Okereke and ask all Nigerians to join me at this time to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”
