Police in Lagos State have arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to Ajah Division for allegedly killing a female lawyer on Christmas Day.
The victim is Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Lagos Branch.
Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest on Monday.
He stated two other police officers who were with the ASP were also arrested for interrogation.
“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.
Brandpowerng earlier gathered that the incident threw the community into confusion as the suspected policeman and his team fled the scene immediately.
Brandpowerng gathered that the officer, was however, caught and detained by operatives of Ajah police division.
Brandpowerng 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 policeman tried to stop them.
A member of the Lagos branch and a lawyer working with the deceased revealed that some policemen moved the body after the incident and was asking the bar for assistance “before the police change the narrative”.
The message read “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 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 ma. Thank you.”
Lagos police condole with family, friends of lawyer killed by police officer
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Command has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by its officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Monday.
He said that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Alabi Abiodun, has instructed that the officer be detained.
“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, Yaba, for in-depth investigation.
“This has become one killing 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,” he said.
He said that the CP urged Lagos residents to remain calm as the command is already in constant touch with the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that justice totally prevails.
