Nigerians on social media are horrified and outraged as a trigger-happy Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) shot dead a Lagos-based female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem in the Ajah area of the state on Christmas Day.
The unnamed policeman attached to the Ajah Police Station and his team were said to have tried to stop Raheem and her family members as they drove back home from a Christmas Day church service.
Raheem, it was gathered, was shot when the car she was on tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge.
The victim was rushed to a hospital but was confirmed dead.
Avoidable Incident – Police
The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident but described it as “unfortunate and avoidable”, assuring the public that justice will prevail.
“The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody,” Hundeyin tweeted on Monday.
He also said the policemen will be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for further investigation.
“The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail.” Our correspondent learnt that Raheem, her sister, and four children were coming from an eatery in their car around 11am when the cop tried to stop them.
A source said the woman was trying to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle.
The bullet was said to have hit the victim; she was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
On December 6, a police inspector attached to the police station allegedly shot dead Gafaru Buraimoh, a resident of Happy Land estate in Ajah.
The incident resulted in protests which halted the flow of traffic in the area. A member of Lagos branch of the NBA and a lawyer working with the deceased revealed that some policemen moved the body after the incident and is asking the bar for assistance “before the police changes the narrative”.
The message reads “I am Barr. Yvonne a member of the NBA Lagos Branch, Sir I tried reaching out to you but I guess you are busy.
“My boss Barr Omobolanle Raheem was shot dead today, by a POLICE OFFICER on her way back from Xmas service at Ajah under bridge. Her family just called me now, that they need a lawyer to stand in for them before the police changes the narrative. They have taken the matter to Ajiwe Police Station.
“The police officer is from Ajiwe station. Her husband was the one driving, Barr. Omobolanle was seated in the front with her husband.
“The officer asked them to park and they needed the vehicle in front to move so they can park well, and immediately the police officer shot at a close range right into her chest. On seeing what happened, the remaining police officers on duty there absconded.
“After a while, some police men came and moved her body to the mortuary in Yaba, without obtaining any consent from her family members. Currently her family has located where they moved her body to.
“I am currently not in Lagos , I thought of bringing this to you for your assistance and guidance ma. Thank you.”
IG Condemns Shooting, Killing Of Lagos Lawyer By Police Officer
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, has condemned the shooting and killing of a lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem by a police officer in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He said the deceased was allegedly shot and killed by a policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.
The IG described the incident as unfortunate and ordered a speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act. He said the act didn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.
Baba commiserated with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and prayed for the repose of her soul.
He pledged to ensure that justice prevailed in the case and warned officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties.
Baba urged police officers to always operate within the ambit of the law, adding that the Force leadership would not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts. (NAN)
Credit: The punch , Cable , Premiumtimes, BarristerNg
