Police in Lagos State have arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to Ajah Division for allegedly killing a female lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest on Monday.
He stated two other police officers who were with the ASP were also arrested for interrogation.
“Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody.
“They are to be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for further investigations,’’ Hundeyin stated.
The spokesman stated also that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Abiodun Alabi, had been in touch with the family of the deceased and with the Nigerian Bar Association over the ugly incident.
“Mr Alabi has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail,’’ Hundeyin further stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier gathered that the incident threw the community into confusion as the suspected policeman and his team fled the scene immediately.
NAN gathered that the officer was, however, caught and detained by operatives of Ajah police division.
NAN learnt that Mrs Omobolanle Raheem, her sister, and four children were returning from a Christmas outing in their car at about 11.00 a.m. when the police man tried to stop them.
A source said the woman was trying to make a U-turn under the Ajah bridge when the ASP allegedly shot at her vehicle and the bullet hit her.
“She was rushed to a hospital where she was confirmed dead,’’ the source said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba, has condemned killing.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the deceased was allegedly shot and killed by a policeman attached to Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State.
The I-G described the incident as unfortunate and ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act.
He said the act didn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.
Baba commiserated with the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased and prayed for the repose of her soul.
He pledged to ensure that justice prevailed in the case and warned officers and men of the Force to be professional and people-oriented in the discharge of their duties.
Baba urged police officers to always operate within the ambit of the law, adding that the Force leadership would not condone any inappropriate or unprofessional acts. (NAN)
