The deceased was identified as Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer.
Witnesses said the police officer shot at a vehicle carrying the lawyer and her family as they were returning from church.
Police said in a statement that the officer, attached to the police station in Ajah, and two others have been taken into custody.
It was the second time in a month a police officer from the Ajah Division fatally shoots an unarmed civilian.
“The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem,” Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a statement on Monday.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail.”
Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, has ordered “speedy investigation and prosecution” of the officers responsible for the incident, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, said in a statement.
READ MORE Nigeria - #EndSARS: Army indicted for killing protesters but activists see ‘low’ chance of justice
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos said in a statement that “nothing will be spared under the Laws of Lagos State until justice is served speedily and adequately.”
A barrister and member of NBA ,Bolanle Raheem, was shot dead, while coming back from church yesterday 25th in Lagos by Nigerian police men..if a judiciary can be killed ,then we the common man are in trouble. A wife ,mother, sister, aunty and inlaw life was just cut short.Evil!!! pic.twitter.com/r2kfeMAFhW
— Ugo libra (@Ugolibra) December 26, 2022
‘Cold blooded murder’
On 6 December, a police officer fatally shot a man in the Ajah area of Lagos. Police authorities said they are investigating the matter and yet to make their findings public.
The latest incident sparked outrage across the state, as residents raised concerns over continued police brutality despite the #EndSARS protests two years ago and citizens’ push for reforms in the force.
The incident also came amidst reports of discontent within the police over the government’s failure to pay their six months salary arrears.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the umbrella body of lawyers in Nigeria, described the shooting as a “cold blooded murder.”
The organisation named the suspected shooter as Drambi Vandi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police who has been in the police service for 33 years.
“While the NBA acknowledges the sympathy and regret of the police authorities over this incident, the NBA President has unequivocally demanded that the Nigerian Police officially disclose and immediately release to Nigerians the fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act,” the body said in a statement on Monday.
“Members of the NBA and Nigerians are assured that the NBA is committed to justice in this matter. In the words of the NBA President, ‘the NBA will not only get to the root of this incident, we will uproot it and take steps to deal with anyone found culpable in every lawful way. We will ensure that this does not happen to any citizen anymore.”’
The gruesome murder of Bolanle Raheem, Esq. by a Police officer in Lagos is another evidence of the reckless use of force by some Policemen.
With the proactive approach the leaderships of the NBA Lagos Branch and National Exec have employed, justice is tenable. pic.twitter.com/Ul9mYc16Yl— Bulus Atsen (@ByAtsen) December 26, 2022
Condemnation
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said the “avoidable tragedy” underscores, yet again, the crucial importance 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,” said Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos.
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDD), called on the authorities to expedite action on the prosecution of the suspects to serve as a deterrent to others.
Amnesty International said it is “horrifying” that police officers who are meant to protect lives take it with impunity.
“The Nigeria Police Force’s announcement of investigation into this tragic incident must lead to justice, and the erring police officers must face prosecution in independent, impartial, public trials. Reckless resort of the police to deadly force is a human rights violation. Police brutality must end.”
“While the NBA acknowledges the sympathy and regret of the police authorities over this incident, the NBA President has unequivocally demanded that the Nigerian Police officially disclose and immediately release to Nigerians the fuller details of the errant officer and other officers responsible for this heinous act.
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