Sanwo-Olu said, “I would also appeal to residents to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands on the matter, the state government will live up to her responsibilities and get justice for late Bolanle Raheem.”
By Jeffrey Agbo
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has vowed to ensure justice for lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer in the Ajah area of the state.
Reacting to the incident which has renewed public criticism of the police, Mr Sanwo-Olu said on Monday evening that the incident was a “mindless shooting of a citizen.”
His lengthy message posted on Instagram reads, “With utter shock and sadness, I received the news of the mindless shooting of a citizen by a police officer whose primary job function was to protect the same citizen. I hereby sympathise with the family, friends and associates of late Bolanle Raheem.
“I am therefore assuring everyone of the state government’s full support and cooperation with the police authorities in their investigation to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the shooting, that led to Bolanle’s untimely death, with a view to ensuring justice is served.
“I have studied preliminary reports on the matter and have instructed the appropriate government officers to immediately get on it. We must ensure a speedy justice for the late Bolanle. Our government cannot sit back and watch our citizens killed by the same law enforcers that should ordinarily protect them.
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“I’m aware that the Lagos State Police Command has arrested, disarmed and detained the police officers involved in the shooting incident. I can assure you that the accused persons will have their day in court and nothing will be spared under the laws of Lagos State until justice is served adequately. We will ensure that it is done speedily because justice delayed is justice denied.”
Sanwo-Olu added, “I would also appeal to residents to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands on the matter, the state government will live up to her responsibilities and get justice for late Bolanle Raheem.”
Raheem was trying to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the police officer, whose identity is not yet clear, shot at her vehicle. The bullet was said to have hit the victim and she was immediately rushed to a hospital afterwards, where she was confirmed dead.
The incident has been widely condemned by the Police in Lagos, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Bar Association among others.
