The police officer attempted fleeing the scene of crime after killing her

The brutal killing of a Lagos lawyer, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day, by a police officer has generated condemnation from Nigerians.

Mrs Raheem was shot in the presence of her family , on their way back from Christmas church service, at Ajah in Lagos State.

Barely three weeks ago, not too far from the same spot, in a similar bezare case to that of Mrs Raheems, an officer gunned down one Gafaru Buraiimoh.

TVAFRINET learnt from a source that Mrs Raheem was in the company of her husband – who was driving, children and sister, when police operatives pulled up the car and unnamed Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was with a team of policemen pulled the trigger and attempted to flee the scene immediately, after killing Mrs Raheem, but was apprehended.

It was learnt that the family was about making a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge at about 11:00a.m. when the officer shot at the vehicle, hitting the victim, who later died when in the hospital.

The killing prompted the immediate intervention and protest of lawyers from the Lagos branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), including the leaders of Eti Osa Lawyers Forum, who stormed the Ajiwe police station, Ajah, where the culprit was attached.

They leadership of the NBA branch held a brief meeting with the Divisional Police Officer of Ajiwe police, Adolf Ogwu, where the vice chairperson of the branch who led the delegation, Abiye Tam George, called for transparency in prosecuting the case, which they termed, ‘one killing too many’
 
The chairman of the branch, Ikechukwu Uwanna, who spoke with pressmen, said: “This is a very unfortunate incident, it’s catastrophic, it is something that must be condemned by everyone who has civility in them. We are still trying to recover from the rude shock; our heart goes out to the family members who are traumatised by this incident but we’ve reached out to the state’s Police Commissioner who has now detained the officer. Prosecution is going to commence immediately.
 
“We will lead the charge and we have been assured of justice. We will follow up with the trial to ensure that our colleague gets justice.
“I think there has to be improvement in training, proper training of the officers especially on their engagement with civilians. For a traffic offence you see a police officer wielding a gun, it is unheard of that a harmless citizen is engaged like that. There must be proper training and critical evaluation of the mental state before an officer is given a gun, to be sure that they have sound mental state to handle those guns.”
   
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi has assured Nigerians and family of the slain lawyer that justice will be ensured.
Reacting through the spokesperson for the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, he said: “We condole with family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

“Extra-judicial killings by security agents have reached alarming decibel and must be stopped forthwith! The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba; and President Muhammadu Buhari should stop these carnivorous consumption of young, innocent Nigerians by trigger-happy and dark-hearted security agents.” The group added.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, whilst describing the incident as unfortunate, has directed the speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the killing of Raheem.

In a statement released by the Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, it was confirmed that the alleged killer is a police officer attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State. He said the gruesome murder of Mrs Raheem doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.

The Inspector General, who condemned the shooting and killing, however, commiserates with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased as he prays for the repose of her soul, and assured the general public of justice in the case.

The IGP admonished men of the force to be careful and act professionally in the discharge of their duties, as much as people-oriented in their operations within the ambit of the law.

He warned that the leadership of the Force will not tolerate any inappropriate or unprofessional acts.