Yesterday, a police officer attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, Lagos State, opened fire on a female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem.
The deceased, according to reports, was returning from Domino Pizza with her four children and husband in a car.
The incident was reported at Ikorodu station around 11:PM yesterday. According to a police report, the victim and her family were coming from Domino Pizza Ajah in an unregistered T Venza SUV while trying to make a U-turn at Ajah under the bridge, policemen tried to stop them and in the process fired at her.
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The victim was rescued and rushed to Granville Medical centre, Ajah for treatment, where she was later confirmed dead.
TWEEPS REACT
Over 26,000 tweets were trending in condemnation of her gruesome murder.
“A Nigerian Police Officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day,” tweeted Adebowale Adebayo, a content creator also known as MrMacaroni.
He further stated that a similar incident happened about two weeks ago when a police officer from the station killed one Gafaru Buraimoh. “This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end,” he added. “These Murderers must pay for their crimes!!!”
One of the frontliners of the #EndSARS protest, Rinu Oduala tweeted: “A lawyer and member of the NBA, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem has been killed by Nigerian Police officers on Christmas, on her way back from Church in Ajah, Lagos.
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“She was shot in the car while her husband was beside her. #EndSARS. The same officers from Ajiwe police station who kïlled a young man few days back kïlled her. Well done to everyone involved.”
“Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer in Lagos, was reportedly shot & killed today by @PoliceNG personnel on her way from #ChristmasDay2022 worship in Ajah, Lagos,” Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights activist tweeted.
A host of other users who tweeted about the incident can be found here.
The trend also resurfaced #EndSARS hashtag on the microblogging platform with over 16,000 tweets as of press time.
NBA WANTS JUSTICE
Reproaching its member’s murder, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the incident and demanded for justice.
“We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone. The NBA President @YCMaikyauSAN is right on this and we shall ensure that justice is duly served,” National Publicity Secretary of NBA, Akorede Lawal, tweeted.
But Ikechukwu Uwanna, chairman of NBA, Lagos branch said the herring officer is in custody.
His words: “The police authorities have confirmed that the police officer who shot and killed our colleague has been arrested and is currently being detained.
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“I have been in touch with Lagos state police command public relations officer (Benjamin Hundeyin) and the commissioner of police, Lagos state (Mr. Abiodun Alabi), who have been very sympathetic and have assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer of Mrs. Raheem will be swift.
“The NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, SAN, and his Exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves.
“Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee, led by Mrs. Tam-George, have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with the Commissioner of Police later today to emphasize our mandate of ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
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“The committee members have also proceeded to visit the family of our slain member as at the time of releasing this statement.
“I urge us all to take a moment today to pray for the repose of the soul of our slain colleague, and that God will console her husband and family members. We will provide updates as the matter develops.”
‘JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED’— LAGOS GOV
Babajide Sanwo Olu, Governor of Lagos State in a tweet assured Nigerians that justice would be served.
“With utter shock and sadness, I received the news of the unfortunate and avoidable death of Barrister Bolanle Raheem at the hands of a police officer at Ajiwe. My condolence to her family, friends and associates. I can assure you that justice will be served,” he tweeted. “The Lagos State police command have arrested, disarmed and detained the officer(s) involved in the incident. Nothing will be spared under the Laws of Lagos State until justice is served speedily and adequately.”
According to Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba described the incident as unfortunate and sad. He ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible.
