Following the reported shooting of a newspaper vendor named Ifeanyi Okereke, by a security detail attached to the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gbajabiamila, on Friday, the Department of State Services (DSS) has vowed to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted into circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, DSS confirms the identity of the trigger happy suspect to be one of its “personnel deployed to Speaker’s convoy as a security detail”.
The statement says, “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”.
DSS PRO, Ifunnaya disclosed, in confirmation to an earlier statement by the Speaker, that the suspect “has been suspended from his Convoy, the Service has further withdrawn him from the assignment”.
The statement further revealed that “as part of its disciplinary procedures in the instance, he (suspect) 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.”
The shooting of Okereke by the officer has sparked public reaction especially coming barely few weeks after the nation was taken aback by a mass movement of youths protesters who campaigned vigorously to push for the disbandment of the defunct FSARS unit of the Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Police Force owing to allegations of gross misconduct If its personnel.
The victim, Ifeanyi Okereke, was rushed to the National Hospital by his colleagues after being hit by the bullet but was later announced dead by the spokesperson of the clinic, Tayo Haastrup.
He was reported to have died after sustaining gunshot injury to the head.