…as Nigerians demand justice
Hope James
Nigerians have taken to the social media to react to the incessant killings of innocent persons by Police officers in Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.
This is coming after Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi of Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State shot a Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem to death on Sunday, 25th of December 2022.
According to report, Omobolanle was coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
The victim’s husband, Gbenga, said, “On December 25, my wife, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who had come for the holiday, all went to church. On our way back, my wife said since it was Christmas Day, we should take everyone out, so, we went to a supermarket at Abraham Adesanya, then to Domino’s Pizza.
“After that, we headed towards Ajah to do a U-turn to come back to Abraham Adesanya. When we took the U-turn, we saw policemen stopping some vehicles. As we approached them, they said we should stop, and in the process, we heard a loud sound on my wife’s side window. All of a sudden, I saw blood gushing out of her chest.
“I immediately ran out; my sister-in-law, who was also with us, ran out and held the policeman; he cocked his gun at her too. Talking to him was pointless, so I went to see if anything could be done; I saw my wife gasping for breath, and by that time, my sister-in-law had brought the policeman into the car and pushed him into the front seat.
“We drove to a hospital, but they said they couldn’t handle it; we eventually took her to Grandville Hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The policemen took her body and put it in the truck; they wanted me to follow them, but I said I needed to go and settle my children.”
Nigerians have reacted to these killings, requesting the Federal Government to bring all perpetrators into book.
According to Len Ray, ”Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration would not tolerate the
killing of citizens by law enforcers who should protect them”
But Sanwo-Olu and the IGP will tolerate the killings as long as it does not involve the privileged in the society. The same policemen in the same Ajah division killed no less than 3 other Nigerian citizens under the same condition this year and nothing happened to their killers.
Another user, Olufemi Chris stated, “This is so sad, it’s clear the vehicle had stopped when the police shot her. Withdraw AK47 from all rank-and-file officers, give a well-trained and reasonable team lead among them a pistol with a lock pack, that take process to unlock.
“It’s only in Nigeria you would see police officer going around with AK47, some with double arm as if we are in war zone.
No more AK47 it’s scary seen those officers roaming our street with such arm. Say no to AK47.
Life is good said, “He’s definitely intoxicated, and I wonder if being intoxicated while on duty is not outlawed in the so-called police operational procedures. This can’t be his first time in those 33 yrs., only God knows how many lives have perished under him. Very disheartening.
“I won’t be surprised if the killer cop was intoxicated. If the police truck was searched there might be alcoholic liquor bottles. I can’t imagine why a cop will release live bullet in broad daylight without any provocation. Let there be thorough investigation and tests carried out on the entire team. The discoveries will help police authority to address unprofessional conducts among its men.
In Ukpaka Atioro’s words, “The sad part is that the Nigerian police will be the one investigating themselves. In NIgeria, crime scenes are not protected. Don’t be surprised the police comes back to provide alternate facts. I know of instances where cops killed innocent citizens and forces the families to settle for 10,000 naira or they will frustrate your case.
SaveNigeria said, ‘Sanwo olu… Making me laugh. How many okada rider were killed just within the last two 2 weeks this month by policemen or task force. How many times have we heard you call out those men and prosecuted them? The killings at Lekki toll gate till date no one has been prosecuted, no one at all. Instead, the victims were constantly blamed for their murder while the murderers get promoted. The deceased girl killed by police at Ketu or so … As confirmed by the coroner …what’s the situation? Nothing. Atiku would come out to sympathize …lol a joker that man is…The Deborah case is still fresh in our minds. Evil men!! Evil I say. May God help the family to bear this irreparable lose.
However, this seems not to be the only death caused by officers of the Ajiwe station as a guy was also shot dead on the 17th of December, barely a week before Bolanle’s tragic death.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, in a statement on Monday by the Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ordered speedy prosecution of all the policemen involved in her killing.
“The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police would carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable incidents.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.
“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 an in-depth investigation.”