Reactions have continued to trail the unfortunate killing of
a Lagos lawyer, Barrister Ombolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman in the
State.
Recall that an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, had
on Christmas Day, opened fire on the unarmed lawyer who was on her way home
from Christmas church service on Sunday at the Ajah area of Lagos.
According to reports, the police officer attached to the
Ajah Police Station, alongside his team, tried to stop Raheem and her family
members as they drove back home from church service.
The suspect reportedly opened fire on the victim while her
car tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge. She was later rushed to a
hospital where she was unfortunately confirmed dead.
Reacting, the presidential candidates of the three major
political parties, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bola
Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party
flagbearer, Peter Obi took to their Twitter handles to condemn the incident.
According to Tinubu, the tragedy was avoidable, saying the
incident underscores the importance and urgency of reforming the Nigeria Police
Force.
He wrote, “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”.
In a similar vein, Atiku in his tweet, said the incident was
heartbreaking, restating that there is an urgent need for Police reforms which
according to him would sanitise the Force.
He wrote, “The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police
officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned. 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”.
The Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, however, blamed
incessant extrajudicial killings by security operatives on lack of proper
training.
According to him, “a well trained and professional police
officer will not engage in police brutality”.
Like the other candidates, Obi also vowed to ensure
immediate “Security Sector Reform and Governance, SSRG, if elected president in
February 2023.
He wrote, “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”.
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