President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the “heinous and senseless” murder of Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer from Lagos, by Assistant Superintendent of Police Drambi Vandi on Tuesday.
On Christmas Day, Vandi, an officer of the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, shot and killed Raheem. Raheem and her family were reportedly stopped by the cop and his colleagues while they were returning home after a religious session.
Raheem was shot while attempting to make a U-turn in the vehicle she was riding in under the Ajah Bridge. The victim was taken to the hospital but was later declared dead.
The late lawyer’s family and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) received assurances from the President that justice will be served in a statement from his media assistant, Garba Shehu.
“In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure you that justice will be done in this case,” the President was quoted as saying.
Buhari 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 culprit already held in detention.
According to him, this incident is 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.