GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Presidential Guard, Telon Perreira, who was stabbed by a Nigerian who stormed State House earlier this month has been promoted.

President Irfaan Ali, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, visited the injured rank at his hospital bed and promoted him to the rank of Corporal.

Ali praised the rank for his bravery and courage and Corporal Perreira told the President he is eager to return to work.

He was stabbed on the morning of December 15 by Bethel Ikena Chinezie, a Nigerian man.

Chinezie turned up at the southeastern guard hut at State House, President Irfaan Ali’s official residence, around 7:30 am and confronted the security detail there, telling them, “I want the President”.

He became agitated and pulled a knife from the waist of his pants, stabbing Perreira five times. Chinezie then grabbed the officer’s gun and discharged several rounds before he was shot when other members of the President’s security detail returned fire.

The Nigerian who was also hospitalised recently regained consciousness.

Police investigations into the attack continue.