•Report by Mudasir Opeyemi
Presidential candidates of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP),Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has condemned the killing of Lagos lawyer,Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.
This was as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of NNPP also described the act of Killing Nigerians by Nigeria Police as “unprofessional”
The presidential candidates in their separate statements also called for the urgent police reform in the country and a speedy investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of Mrs Bolanle Raheem
NPO Reports had on Monday reported that Raheem was allegedly shot dead on Christmas day by a police officer attached to Ajiwe Police station in Ajah.
The incident was said to have happened while the deceased and her family were returning from Christmas service and wanted to buy food for her children at an eatery.
Confirming the incident, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police command spokesperson, said an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) who shot at the deceased and two other officers are currently in custody.
Similarly,Usman Baba, The Inspector-General of Police, had also ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act.
Reacting to the incident in a tweet on Monday, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party said there is a need for reform that will “sanitise” the force.
He also called on the police authorities to ensure that the officers responsible for the act are brought to justice.
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“The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned,” he wrote via his verified Twitter handle
“This latest shooting calls to attention the urgent need for Police reforms that will sanitise the Force and bring it in line with best policing practices.
“I call on the police authorities and the Justice system to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied. This will serve as a deterrent to the incidents of irresponsible shooting of innocent citizens by law enforcement agents.
“I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and the Nigerian Bar Association, in particular its Lagos chapter. May her soul rest in peace.”
The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu also commisserated with the family of dead lawyer.
Tinubu in a statement shared via his Twitter handle described the killing as an ‘avoidable tragedy’.
Tinubu also called for an urgent reform of the Nigeria Police.
The former Lagos state governor however urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure speedy justice in the case.
“I share the grief and frustration of Nigerians over the senseless killing of Mrs. Ombolanle Raheem by a police officer on Christmas Day in Lagos.
“The avoidable tragedy, which cost a family a beloved member and our country a diligent legal professional, underscores, yet again, the crucial importance and urgency of reforming the Nigeria Police Force.
“While I send my sincere condolences to Omobolanle’s family, I urge the Inspector General of Police and other responsible authorities and demonstrate even greater dedication to the nationwide implementation of measures designed to uphold professionalism within the force,” Tinubu wrote
On the part of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate,Peter Obi said, the mindless killing of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman on a Christmas day was “shocking”.
Obi while commiserating with the immediate family,friends and associates of the deceased said if elected next year,he will embark on what he described as Security Sector Reform And Governance (SSRG) to put a permanent solution to the killing of innocent Nigerians by police officer whose primary assignment was to protect the life and properties of the citizen.
“I am shocked by the mindless killing of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman on a Christmas day. Her death is a huge loss to her immediate and extended family. Like I’ve always said, a well trained and professional police officer will not engage in police brutality.
“Her killing, and the loss of many innocent lives across the nation to trigger-happy policemen, is the reason why I will embark on immediate and intrusive security sector reform and governance (SSRG).
“Relatedly, we must improve the functioning and effectiveness of the police by strengthening their civilian oversight as well as increasing their strength, materiel, financial allocation, and enhanced professional training. Our national policing strength must be relative to our national population and meet global standards.
“We must not allow the waste of human lives in Nigeria under any guise. May the soul of Late Mrs. Bolanle Raheem rest in perfect peace. My sincere condolence to her family. -PO.”
The candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said police officer should be the first layer of protection and for citizens and shouldn’t be consistently caught being the opposite.
“The murder of Mrs Bolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman underscores the need to bring thorough sanity into the Nigerian Police Force. Police officers should be the first layer of protection for citizens and shouldn’t be consistently caught being the opposite.
“I urge the police and other concerned authorities to ensure speedy and effective action on the matter. I also condole with Mrs Raheem’s family, friends and the Nigerian Bar Association on this unfortunate loss. – RMK,” he also tweeted