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Newspaper vendors in Abuja protest killing of colleague by Gbaja’s aide

BY Dyepkazah Shibayan

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Some newspaper vendors in the federal capital territory (FCT) have taken to the streets to protest against the killing of Ifeanyi Elechi, a colleague of theirs, by a security aide of Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening at the federal secretariat — near the national assembly.

The speaker said he had stopped to exchange pleasantries with some of the newspaper vendors around the national assembly when some “unidentified” men obstructed his convoy.

The number four citizens said his aides shot into the air to disperse these men, but that he later learnt that a stray bullet hit “someone”.

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In the protest on Friday, the vendors held placards some of which read: ‘Femi Gbajabiamila’s aide killed Elechi a vendor in Abuja’, ‘Give us justice’, ‘vendors’ lives matter’.

They were also chanting: ‘All we are saying, give us justice.’

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In protest against the killing, the vendors delayed the distribution of newspapers until 10:00 am.

The demonstration started at Area 1 in Garki district where vendors go to collect newspapers for distribution.

Gbajabiamila described the incident as “horrible”, adding that many of the vendors have known him since he moved to the FCT.

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