Abdullahi M. Hassan has been identified by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as the officer who opened live rounds and killed a newspaper vendor in Abuja on Thursday.

The officer was named in a statement by the Speaker on Friday afternoon. It came hours after witnesses at the scene told Peoples Gazette that the shooting came from a police officer, although the police have denied firing the fatal shot.

Witnesses said there were multiple shots from the Speaker’s convoy, making it difficult to immediately identify the bullet that killed the vendor Ifeanyi Elechi.

Read the Speaker’s full statement below:

November 20, 2020.

The unfortunate death of Ifeanyi Okereke at the hands of one my security aides has left me deeply shaken.

Mr. Okereke was 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.

I expect, and I will see to it that the family of Mr. Ifeanyi Okere receives the full measures of justice so that their bereavement is not compounded by an 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 Abuja.

Additionally, I have committed to them and I will support his wife and the immediate family he 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.

Signed
Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila
Speaker.