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DSS probes killing of newspaper vendor by Gbajabiamila’s security
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has opened an investigation into the killing of a newspaper vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke, by one of its operatives in Abuja on Thursday.
The agency spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the officer identified as Abdullahi Hassan, had been withdrawn from the convoy of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Gbajabiamila had earlier named the officer in a statement he issued, following the ugly incident.
The DSS said in its statement that the suspect was 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“And as already stated by the Speaker that he has been suspended from his convoy, the service has further withdrawn him from the assignment.
“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 pledging to be transparent and accountable in handling the matter, the agency said it was liaising with the appropriate authorities to achieve this objective.
Gbajabiamila, in his second statement on Friday, vowed to get justice for the deceased, saying that he had contacted Okereke’s family members and would meet with them.
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Part of the Speaker’s statement reads, “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.”