President Irfaan Ali yesterday promoted Telon Perreira, the Presidential Guard who was stabbed during the attack outside of State House two Thursdays ago, to the rank of Corporal.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Office of the President (OP) said that Ali and acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken visited Perreira at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he is hospitalised and praised him for his bravery and courage.
Ali also promoted Perreira on the spot, the release said.
The injured rank, according to OP told Ali that he is eager to return to work.
Perreira was attacked and stabbed by Nigerian, Dethiel Chimezie.
The attack outside State House occurred around 7.30 am on December 15 at the Carmichael Street entrance, during which Chimezie was also shot and injured. Before he was wounded, Chimezie demanded to see President Irfaan Ali, stabbed Perreira five times and seized a gun from another guard. He then engaged in a shootout with guards. Chimezie was shot several times about his body and underwent emergency surgery. He is currently a patient at the said hospital under police guard. Days ago, he was taken off a ventilator and the Sunday Stabroek was told that efforts were being made by the police to question him. However, up to yesterday it remained unknown if the police were able to question Chimezie in relation to the attack. The authorities have been silent about the investigation.
This newspaper was informed that Chimezie showed up at State House and confronted Perreira, who was among the ranks on duty at the guard hut. He reportedly said, “I want the President”.
Chimezie then went into a pouch, which he had in his possession, and whipped out a knife that he used to launch the attack on Perreira.
Information reaching this newspaper revealed that Perreira then held onto Chimezie’s hand and the knife and a female rank who was present tried to assist him. This caused the Nigerian to turn his attention to the female rank and he disarmed her of her firearm. Chimezie then used the weapon and started to shoot indiscriminately. Other ranks who were in the area returned fire, injuring him.
Investigators recovered a 9mm pistol and seven matching spent shells at the scene.
The attack has raised questions about the level of security provided at State House.
