The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has condemned in totality the gruesome killing of 41 years old Lagos lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, by a trigger-happy police officer, identified as ASP Drambi Vandi, at the Aja area of Lagos on Christmas day.
The Association also commiserated with the Raheem family, asking God Almighty to comfort them, help ease the unbearable pains they are going through at the moment while also calling for a total overhaul of the architecture of the Police through retraining and reorientation to enable men and officers come to terms with the actual terms of engagement in carrying out their day to day functions.
In a press statement signed by the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Eric Elezuo, the body noted with dismay that Mrs Raheem’s unwarranted death is one death too many in the hands of vessels, who are supposedly the protectors of life, and first point of succour in times of crisis, stressing that nothing should be left to chance to bring the perpetrator/perpetrators to justice.
While acknowledging the achievements of the police, especially in Lagos, under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, the Association noted that the death of Mrs Raheem could have been avoided if policemen sent to the streets have the requisite training and orientation to handle the civil public.
“We condemn in strong terms the gruesome and broad daylight murder of Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, who was until her death, a law practitioner based in Lagos State.
“Mrs Raheem’s death is one death too many in the hands of trigger-happy policemen, which could have been avoided. Consequently, we call for a total retraining of Police Officers and a thorough orientation course.
In addition, there shall be close monitoring of every officer sent on assignment to maintain checks and balances in the discharge of duties.
“While we acknowledge the professionalism with which the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Abiodun Alabi, is carrying out his duties, we demand more than just investigation into the murder to ascertain if there there were remote causes to the killing or otherwise.
“Meanwhile, we commiserate with the bereaved family, and hope the Almighty God will console them in a way no human can.
We acknowledge their deep pains, especially as it happened on a Christmas day when every family was expressing heartfelt happiness,” Elezuo said.
In another development, the president of the Association, Mr Samson Oki, has called on members of the public to assist the police as they try to unravel the circumstances that led the killing of Mr Raheem while lending his voice to the call for police reforms in all ramifications.
“At a time like this, a lot is involved. We therefore call on the members of the public to assist the Police to uncover both the remote and immediate causes that led to shooting just as there is need to bring about a thorough reforms of the Police as a first point of contact for the civil society,” he said.
