- Police arrest ASP for allegedly shooting Lagos female lawyer to death
Police Inspector-General Usman Alkali on Monday promised that justice will be done as outrage grew over the Christmas day killing of Lagos lawyer Mrs Omobolanle Raheem by a policeman in Ajah, Lagos.
He ordered a speedy investigation and prosecution of officers responsible for the shooting.
The suspected killer officer is attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah.
The Nation reports that Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said in a statement: “The IGP commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul.
“He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law.
“The Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Abiodun Alabi, also commiserated with the family and loved ones of Mrs. Raheem, who was expecting a baby.
Raheem was shot at close range on Christmas Day while she and her family were returning from church.
The shooting occurred under the Ajah Bridge, Ajiwe, while the policemen were stopping vehicles.
It happened less than three weeks after policemen from the same division killed a young man, Gafaru Buraimoh while chasing black market fuel dealers in Ajah.
Alabi, in a statement by Command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police, appealed for calm, assuring the public that total justice be would be done.
He described Bolanle’s murder as “one too many” and embarrassing, noting that it was against the Police’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
According to the police boss, the service would carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.
He said: “On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members.
“The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba for in-depth investigation.
“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago.
“The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedures (SOP) and rules of engagement of the Force, and to say the least is embarrassing.
“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.
“The Lagos State Police Command hereby appeals to the good people and residents of Lagos State to remain calm as the command is already in constant touch with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that justice totally prevails.”
Outrage has trailed Mrs Raheem’s murder with Nigerians across social media platforms demanding speedy justice.
Many Nigerians, including celebrities, who condemned her murder, lamented that extrajudicial killing by security agencies was still rife despite the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.
One of those who commented was Mrs Raheem’s client, Bolanle Olakunri, who wrote: “Bolanle Raheem was my real estate agent.
“She supported me in my goal and was always cheering me on. She was so hardworking, positive and such a cheerful spirit.
“She has a husband and child. I can’t even say more.”
Comedian Mr Macaroni said in a series of tweets: “A Nigerian police officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day.
‘It is from this same division an Officer killed Gafaru Buraimoh about two weeks ago.
“This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end. These Murderers must pay for their crimes!!!
“The PRO’s of the Nigerian Police who know how to gaslight Nigerians won’t come out now to make long threads to explain why police officers continue to murder the people and assure Nigerians of steps that are being taken to avoid a repeat of such. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!!
“If it was a civilian that the police accused of a crime, even before proven guilty, you will give us their names, even snap pictures or make videos after beating them up. Keep protecting yours.
“I pray that all our oppressors will answer for their crimes against humanity one day.
“Dear Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the level of insecurity, oppression, brutality and extrajudicial killings since you became governor has worsened. You don’t control the police? Ok.
“But you are the Chief Security Officer of the state. What are you doing about it sir?”
Activist Rinu Oduala lamented that Gafara Buraimoh was killed by an officer from the same station “a few days ago”.
One user asked: “Are they becoming a killer station?”
While confirming the arrest on Monday, Lagos police command spokesman stated that two other police officers who were with the ASP were also arrested for interrogation, according to NAN.
“Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.
“They are to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigations,’’ Hundeyin stated.
The spokesman stated also that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Abiodun Alabi, had been in touch with the family of the deceased and with the Nigerian Bar Association over the ugly incident.
“Mr Alabi has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail,’’ Hundeyin further stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier gathered that the incident threw the community into confusion as the suspected policeman and his team fled the scene immediately.
NAN gathered that the officer, was however, caught and detained by operatives of Ajah police division.
NAN learnt that the deceased, her sister, and four children were returning from a Christmas outing in their car at about 11.00 a.m. when the police man tried to stop them.
A source said the woman was trying to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the ASP allegedly shot at her vehicle and the bullet hit her.
“She was rushed to a hospital where she was confirmed dead,’’ the source said.
Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, a member of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), was shot dead allegedly by a policeman at the Ajiwe area of Ajah, Lagos State, on Christmas Day.
It was gathered that the family was on its way back from church when the incident happened under the Ajah bridge and near the police station.
The alleged killer cop and two other members of his team have been arrested.
It was learnt that the policemen were allegedly extorting motorists on the highway and had asked Raheem’s husband, who was driving to park their vehicle.
According to the deceased’s junior colleague, her husband slowed down and was waiting for the car in front of them to move so he could park properly.
“My boss Barr Omobolanle Raheem was shot dead by a police officer on her way back from Christmas 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 policemen 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,” she wrote.
Confirming the incident, spokesman for the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
He confirmed that the alleged shooter and two other of his team members were in detention and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further action.
“Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.
“They are to be moved to the SCID for further investigation,” he said.
