Presidency Assures of Safety in Aso Rock over Accidental Discharge

After news of Wednesday’s accidental discharge incident in Aso Rock, the presidency has urged all Nigerian and foreign visitors to the Presidential Villa to be assured of their safety.

The assurance came after a member of staff at the State House identified as Mrs Gladys Okpa escaped death by the whiskers on Wednesday when there was an accidental discharge from a gun carried by a security operative.

The security operative was said to be emptying the weapon while submitting himself to a security check at the main entrance of the Villa when his gun discharged.

Both Mrs Okpa and the security operative sustained injuries to different parts of their bodies and were taken to the State House Medical Centre to be attended to.

Special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, in a statement on Thursday said the Villa was safe.

Garba is quoted to have said:

“According to reports received so far, the security official involved in this incident is not attached to the State House. Rather, he came on invitation as a witness in an ongoing investigation and was required, as is the rule, to surrender his weapon at the gates before entry.

“Investigation revealed that the operative conducted the normal safety precaution as professionally required when the pistol accidentally fired.“

Without a doubt, these incidents highlight the need for security operatives to pay more attention to safety while the authorities pay more attention to quality in making arms procurement.

Accidental Discharge: Presidency reassures Nigerians and Foreigners that the Villa is safe.

— Garba Shehu ?? (@GarShehu) January 5, 2017

According to the reports received so far, the security official involved in this incident is not attached to the State House.

— Garba Shehu ?? (@GarShehu) January 5, 2017

Rather, he came on invitation as a witness in an ongoing investigation & was required, as is the rule, to surrender his weapon at the gates.

— Garba Shehu ?? (@GarShehu) January 5, 2017

Investigation revealed that d operative conducted the normal safety precaution as professionally required when the pistol accidentally fired

— Garba Shehu ?? (@GarShehu) January 5, 2017

The lady by his side, a caterer was hit by a pellet of the bullet. Both of them were attended to at the clinic and discharged.

— Garba Shehu ?? (@GarShehu) January 5, 2017