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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