Outrage as Lagos lawyer is killed by a policeman on Christmas day

On Christmas Day, a gun-happy Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) fatally shot a female lawyer from Lagos named Bolanle Raheem in the Ajah region of the state, shocking and infuriating Nigerians on social media.

Ajah Police Station’s nameless officer and his colleagues allegedly attempted to halt Raheem and her family as they were traveling back home from a Christmas Day church service.

According to reports, Raheem was shot when the vehicle she was riding in attempted to perform a U-turn beneath the Ajah Bridge.

The patient was transported to a hospital but was later declared dead.

Police: Avoidable Incident

Assuring the public that justice will be served, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the occurrence but called it “unfortunate and unnecessary.”

On Monday, Hundeyin wrote, “The ASP who shot and two others accompanying him have since been brought into prison.”

He added that the police officers would be transferred to Panti’s State Criminal Investigation Department for additional inquiry.

“The Lagos State Police Command extends its condolences to the Barrister Bolanle Raheem’s family, friends, and coworkers. Since yesterday, the family and the Nigerian Bar Association have been in contact with CP Abiodun Alabi, the commissioner of police for the Lagos State Command, who has assured them firmly that justice will unquestionably prevail.

IGP Orders Speedy Investigation after Condemning Killing

Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), denounced Raheem’s shooting and death on Monday.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the IGP, who called the situation tragic and sad, ordered a prompt inquiry and prosecution of the officers responsible for the obscene and unprofessional behaviour.

The IGP claimed that the behavior does not reflect the basic principles and SOP of the Nigerian Police.

In a similar vein, the IGP expresses his sympathy to the deceased’s family, friends, and coworkers while praying for the peace of her soul.

“He further assures the general public of justice in the case while he warns officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties and operate within the ambit of the law, as the Force’s leadership will not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts,” the statement read.

NBA Demands Justice

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has additionally requested that justice be done in this case.

Akorede Lawal, the NBA’s national publicity secretary, stated, “We are aware of this tragic situation. Another offense against a lawyer, this one. Sadly, our member has left. We’ll see to it that justice is done right.

Lawyers, #EndSARS Demonstrators Riled

Raheem’s death is only one of numerous instances of police violence and extrajudicial executions that have been documented in Lagos and other regions of Nigeria time and time again.

Raheem’s murder occurs less than two years after police extrajudicial killings sparked a national outcry that culminated in the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, during which millions of young people demanded police reforms, compensation for victims’ families, and punishment for trigger-happy police officers.

Some protesters from the #EndSARS movement have already denounced Raheem’s murder and called for justice.

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong tweeted, “A lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, is reported to have been shot and murdered at close range on Christmas Day by a rogue policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Division, Ajah. This is barbaric.

“It is a sad commentary that despite EndSARS, Nigerians are still being slaughtered by the police.

Popular comedian Debo Adebayo, also known as Mr Macaroni also described Raheem’s killing as barbaric.

“A Nigerian Police Officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day. It is from this same division an Officer killed Gafaru Buraimoh about 2 weeks ago,” he wrote.

“This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end. These murderers must pay for their crimes!”

Prominent human rights activist and a former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu also lent his voice to condemn the killing of Raheem.

Another activist, Rinu Oduala slammed Nigeria Police Force for alleged coverup of the identity of the trigger-happy policeman.

Concerning incidents of extrajudicial executions by police officers and other security personnel have occurred over time. According to a report published in 2021 by the Centre for Democracy and Development, a human rights organization, over 13,000 Nigerians were executed extrajudicially by security personnel in the previous ten years.

The Nigerian Army and the police have recently initiated disciplinary measures against at-fault officers, although the terrible trend has not entirely been reversed.

Outrage as Lagos lawyer is killed by a policeman on Christmas day