Police condemn Lagos barrister’s killing, detain errant officer

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday condemned the killing of a barrister, Bolanle Raheem, by a yet-to-be-identified policeman in the Ajah area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, said the errant policeman had been detained as the command commenced investigation into the victim’s death on Christmas day.

Describing the situation as one too many in the Ajah area of the state, Hundeyin said the officer fell short of the standard operating procedures, adding that a reappraisal of the police rules of engagement would be embarked upon to put an end to such cases.

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Hundeyin said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, 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 CP, 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 in-depth investigation.

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“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago. The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedures and rules of engagement of the force, and to say the least is embarrassing.

“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.”

Hundeyin said the Lagos State Police Command appealed to the good people and residents of the state to remain calm as the command was already in constant touch with the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that justice prevailed in the matter.