Five leading presidential candidates in the forthcoming election have condemned the gruesome killing of Bolanle Raheem, a Lagos-based lawyer, by a police officer, Drambi Vandi.
The candidates released separate statements on Monday and Tuesday, 26 and 27 December, 2022, calling for an end to cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings of citizens.
They are Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Raheem was shot dead on Christmas Day on her way back from church by a trigger-happy police officer attached to the Ajiwe police station in the Ajah area of Lagos state.
Reacting to the sad incident, incident, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party tweeted: “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.
“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 Nigeria Bar Association, in particular its Lagos chapter. May her soul rest in peace. -AA”
The APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweeted: “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.
“The important institution must live up to its constitutional mandate of protecting the people and keeping the peace. Encounters with law enforcement agents should not result in death, injury, or undue harassment for law-abiding citizens. That is unacceptable.
“While I send my sincere condolences to Omobolanle’s family, I urge the Inspector General of Police and other responsible authorities to ensure speedy justice in the matter and demonstrate even greater dedication to the nationwide implementation of measures designed to uphold professionalism within the force.”
Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi says Raheem’s death is a huge loss.
“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”
Similarly, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) described the incident as sad, noting that the police haven’t learnt any lessons from the #EndSARS protests of October 2020.
“A trigger happy @policeng officer has taken the life of this innocent lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, sad that Nigeria police hasn’t learnt any lessons from the #EndSARS uprising. A system of impunity that is used to snuffing life out Nigerians must be stopped! #WeCantContinueLikeThis”
The presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso also dropped his two cents on Twitter.
He said: “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”