IGP orders investigation into murder of Lagos lawyer, 3 officers detained

Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has mandated a prompt inquiry and prosecution of the officer responsible for the murder of female lawyer Bolanle Raheem.

On December 25, a policeman working out of the Ajiwe police station in Ajah, Lagos state, shot and killed Bolanle.
The incident happened on Sunday as the victim’s family and she were leaving a Christmas service.
In a statement responding, the IGP called the occurrence “unfortunate and sad.” It was signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson.
The inspector general of police expressed his condolences to the deceased’s friends, family, and coworkers.

The police force, according to Baba, would not support the “inappropriate” event.
The statement reads, “The Inspector General of Police (IGP), who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered swift 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.

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In a similar vein, the IGP expresses his sympathy to the deceased’s family, friends, and coworkers while praying for the peace of her soul.

In addition, he assures the public that justice will be served in the case while cautioning the officers and members of the force to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and a focus on others, as the force’s leadership will not tolerate inappropriate or unprofessional behavior.
Three cops have been detained in connection with the incident, the Lagos police command’s spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin announced earlier on Monday.

In a different statement, Hundeyin claimed that the case had been given to the Lagos police command’s criminal investigation division for “in-depth examination.”

The statement reads: “Barrister Bolanle Raheem was shot and killed by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc has offered profound condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem.

The irresponsible officer and his squad members have already been brought into custody per the Commissioner of Police’s orders.
“The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the Lagos State Police Command State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for in-depth investigation.
Considering that a similar occurrence happened at the same site less than three weeks ago, this has become one instance too many. The scandalous occurrence violated the Force’s standard operating procedures (SOP) and rules of engagement and is, to put it mildly, abhorrent.

In an effort to stop such needless nasty situations, the Nigeria Police Force would review its rules of engagement following this incident.
Controlled by Lagos State Police.

“The Lagos State Police Command hereby appeals to the good people and residents of Lagos State to maintain calm as the Command is already in constant contact with the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring that justice totally prevails,” the command says in its appeal.