Bolanle Raheem’s Killing Is The Reason I Will Embark On Intrusive Security Sector Reform And Governance – Peter Obi

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has reacted to the killing of a Lagos female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem by a police officer on Christmas Day.

Peter Obi Reacts To Killing Of Bolanle Raheem

Raheem was killed on Christmas day in the Ajah area of the state.

An Assistant Police Superintendent, ASP, and two other officers have been arrested in Lagos for the killing.

Bolanle was reportedly shot dead in the company of her husband and other family members when they were returning from Christmas Day service on Sunday morning.

Some reports indicated that the police officers attached to the Ajiwe police station in Ajah had allegedly ordered the car conveying them to stop.

The police officers allegedly shot at the car and the bullet hit the lawyer.

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Tuesday morning, Obi expressed shock over what he described as the “mindless” killing of Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman.

He said her death is a huge loss to her immediate and extended family.

The former Anambra governor noted that a well-trained and professional police officer will not engage in police brutality.

According to him, her killing, and the loss of many innocent lives across the nation to trigger-happy policemen, is the reason why he will embark on immediate and intrusive security sector reform and governance (SSRG).

He also called for improving the functioning and effectiveness of the police by strengthening their civilian oversight as well as increasing their strength, materiel, financial allocation, and enhanced professional training.

The LP presidential candidate added that the country’s national policing strength must be relative to its national population and meet global standards.

He noted further the waste of human lives under any guise should not be allowed.

His statement, “I am shocked by the mindless killing of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman on a Christmas day. Her death is a huge loss to her immediate and extended family. Like I’ve always said, a well-trained and professional police officer will not engage in police brutality.

“Her killing, and the loss of many innocent lives across the nation to trigger-happy policemen, is the reason why I will embark on immediate and intrusive security sector reform and governance (SSRG).

“Relatedly, we must improve the functioning and effectiveness of the police by strengthening their civilian oversight as well as increasing their strength, materiel, financial allocation, and enhanced professional training. Our national policing strength must be relative to our national population and meet global standards.

“We must not allow the waste of human lives in Nigeria under any guise.  May the soul of the Late Mrs. Bolanle Raheem rest in perfect peace. My sincere condolence to her family.”

I am shocked by the mindless killing of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a trigger-happy policeman on a Christmas day. Her death is a huge loss to her immediate and extended family. Like I've always said, a well trained and professional police officer will not engage in police brutality.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) December 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu condemned the murder of Raheem.

He assured that justice will be served speedily and adequately.