Reacting to the incident on Twitter, the state police public relations officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the killing as an “unfortunate and avoidable incident”
Nigerians on Twitter have tackled the Nigeria Police Force over the killing of a female Nigerian lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, in Lagos State by a trigger-happy policeman reportedly attached to Ajiwe Police Station on Christmas Day in Lagos.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that after killing Omobolanle Raheem, the trigger-happy policeman fled the scene with his colleagues before another set of policemen later came and took her remains to a mortuary in the Yaba area of the state and vanished.
Reacting to the incident on Twitter, the state police public relations officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the killing as an “unfortunate and avoidable incident” saying, “The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.”
Hundeyin added that the suspects had been “moved to the SCID for further investigation.”
However, many Tweeps have expressed anger that similar statements are always made by police spokespersons across the country whenever such an incident happens but without evidence of bringing culprits to justice for the endless killing of innocent citizens by trigger-happy officers.
Reacting to the incident, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who is also the convener of #RevolutionNow, said, “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.”
While reacting to the Lagos PPRO’s statement, a popular Nigerian female human rights activist and one of the frontiers of the 2020 #EndSARS protest, Rinu Oduala @SavvyRinu said, ““Avoidable, unfortunate, incident”. Well done, representative of the murderous organization.”
Also, a popular Nigerian skit maker and also a frontier of #EndSARS protest, Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo, popularly known by his stage name, Mr Macaroni, said, “A Nigerian Police Officer from Ajiwe division shot and killed Bolanle Raheem on Xmas day. It is from this same division an Officer killed Gafaru Buraimoh about 2 weeks ago.
“This barbarism by the Nigerian Police must come to an end. These Murderers must pay for their crimes!!!”
The human rights activist further said, “The PRO’s of the Nigerian Police who know how to gaslight Nigerians won’t come out now to make long threads to explain why Police Officers continue to murder the People and assure Nigerians on steps that are being taken to avoid a repeat of such.. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!!
“If it was a civilian that the Police accused of a crime, even before proven guilty, you will give us their names, even snap pictures or make videos after beating them up. Keep protecting yours. I pray that all our Oppressors will answer for their crimes against humanity one day.”
Another tweep, @Ridwanullahii demanded the names and pictures of the officers involved. He said, “When can we have the names and pictures of the officers involved? When are they going to be dismissed and charged by the appropriate court? We can't continue like this.”
@AsidoEffa said, “I am afraid, “UNFORTUNATE” and “AVOIDABLE” aren’t the adjectives we would like to hear from you. Was the use of force “LAWFUL”, “REASONABLE” and “JUSTIFIABLE”? I trust you don’t think you are describing an RTA (Road Traffic Accident)??”
The angry Nigerians also reminded the police spokesperson of a similar incident in the same Ajah area a few weeks ago where Gafaru Buraimoh was reportedly shot dead by police officers attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
The police also said that the officers involved had been arrested and that investigation was going on, but nothing was heard again about the matter.
A Twitter user, @Games71664372 said, “What happened to the officer or officers that shot this young man a few weeks back, same taking into custody after that nothing. So we have to pray not to see kidnappers and also pray not to see police officers. If both kill us what’s the difference? One claim to be our friend.”
@ike_bobo1 wrote, “Egbon ben..... There's one special place they should be now, which is in Kirikiri maximum prison. Since you've confirmed it that they took a shot. All this investigation ko (is not) necessary sir.