Two police policemen detained in relation to the death of Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer from Lagos, have now been freed.
The police officers were freed because they were not directly engaged in the murder of Ms. Raheem, according to the police leadership in Lagos. When providing an update on the killing to reporters on Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesman in Lagos, revealed this information.
“The two policemen arrested with the ASP, who killed the lawyer, will be released today (Tuesday) after giving their testimonies to the command,” Mr Hundeyin said.
He said that after being taken into protective custody, they were subsequently sent to the State Criminal Inquiry Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation.
“They were arrested because they saw what happened. They were not the ones who allegedly killed the woman,” added Mr Hundeyin. “They have given their stories on what happened, and the CP has ordered that they should be released while investigations continue.”
Dambri Vandi, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), and two other Ajah-area police officers were detained by the authorities for murdering Ms. Raheem on Christmas Day.
A police officer from the same station shot and killed Gafaru Buraimoh on December 7 in a similar manner, and Mr. Hundeyin provided an update on the situation. He stated the officer was still in custody and had not yet been prosecuted in court since his dismissal order had not been made public.
“There are indeed consequences. The officer is still in detention at the SCID. His investigation is being wrapped up. Once his dismissal order comes out, he will be charged to court immediately,” added Mr Hundeyin.
He said that the Lagos police commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, removed the station’s DPO after the initial incident on December 7.
“This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago,” the police admitted. “The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedure and rules of engagement of the force, and to say the least is embarrassing.”
In a call for calm, the command stated that it will “carry out a review of its rules of engagement to put a stop to such avoidable nasty situations.”
