The killing of a newspaper vendor, Ifeanyi Okereke, by one of the security details attached to the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has sparked outrage on social media as Nigerians condemned the act and called for justice over the incident.
The incident, which occurred at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, around 3pm on Thursday, November 19, 2020, had caused panic in the area.
The victim, Okereke, was subsequently rushed to the National Hospital by his brother and some police officers, where he reportedly died.
It was learnt that the shooting happened when Okereke and other street vendors selling on the Shehu Shagari Way, Three Arms Zone, flocked around the convoy of the Speaker, who was said to be in the habit of giving out money anytime he passed them.
Many Nigerians have said the killing of the newspapers vendor again validates the recent #EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
Femi Gbajabiamila, in a statement on Friday, November 20, 2020, condemned the shooting, saying he was distraught by the incident.
He also said the matter has been reported to the police, adding that the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended pending the conclusion of investigation.
However, Nigerians have taken to the social media to express their anger over the incident with many saying it was unfortunate the incident happened amid the call for an end to police brutality.
Lawyer and activist, Tope Akinyode, tweeted,
Ifeanyi Okereke didn't die because hoodlums "hijacked" the #EndSARS protest. Rather, he was killed in an extra judicial manner by police operatives attached to Mr Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila. Today, exactly 1 month after the #LekkiMassacre, the #EndSARS protest is justified.
— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) November 20, 2020
Comedian and #EndSARS campaigner, Debo Macaroni, tweeted,
Ifeanyi Okereke is the name of the Newspaper Vendor that was shot dead yesterday by a security aide to the Speaker of the House of Reps. Ifeanyi’s wife just recently gave birth. Another Nigerian dead because we are in a country that has zero value for human life!!
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) November 20, 2020
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