By Marcus Ikechukwu
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined majority of Nigerians to condemn what he described as “heinous and senseless” killing of Omobolanle Raheem, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The legal professional was shot by on-duty policemen on Christmas Day.
Reacting, the President said he was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the brutal killing and directed the police authorities to take “the strongest possible action” against the culprits already held in detention.
According to Buhari, this incident is a stark reminder of the recurring menace of the mishandling of weapons and a wakeup call to law enforcement agencies, including the Police to ensure the full implementation of reforms instituted by the administration on the subject of weapons handling as well as the protection of the rights of citizens.
“In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure that justice will be done in this case,” the President said.
Recall that operatives of the Lagos State Police Command had arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to Ajah Division for allegedly killing the female lawyer, Barrister Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
The Police operatives had also arrested two other police personnel on duty with the officer who shot and killed the lawyer on Christmas Day.
Spokesman of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police confirmed the arrest on Monday.
Hundeyin had also confirmed that the cops in custody would be transferred to the state criminal investigation department for interrogation.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Lagos Command, Abiodun Alabi interacted with the grieving family and the Nigerian Bar Association and has given the assurance that justice would be served on the matter.
“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.
“Mr Alabi has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail,’’ Hundeyin further stated.
It was also gathered that the police had tried to stop the deceased, her sister and four children while they were returning from a Christmas outing around 11 am.
The ASP was said to have fired a shot hitting the woman as she tried to make the U-turn under the Ajah Bridge.
