Lawyer murder: Buhari orders action against arrested police officers

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to take the “strongest possible action” against the police officers arrested for the alleged killing of a lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, in Lagos State on Christmas Day.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Police Command arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Dambri Vandi, and two other officers attached to Ajiwe police station in the Ajah area of Lagos State for allegedly killing Raheem.

The command, on Tuesday, said the two police officers arrested with ASP Vandi over the incident would be released today (Tuesday), noting that they were not involved in the crime.

However, President Buhari, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said he was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the brutal killing and directed the police authorities to take the “strongest possible action” against the culprits already held in detention.

The President, who condemned the “heinous and senseless” killing of Raheem, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), stated that the incident was a stark reminder of the recurring menace of the mishandling of weapons and a wakeup call to law enforcement agencies, including the police to ensure the full implementation of reforms instituted by the administration on the subject of weapons handling as well as the protection of the rights of citizens.

“In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure that justice will be done in this case,” Buhari said.

The Star