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| The late Mrs Omobolanle Raheem |
By Sola Charles
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has described the
killing of Lagos lawyer Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, by a trigger-happy policeman in
Lagos as a crime against humanity, even as the Network of Reproductive Health
Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, has called for mandatory psychological tests for
all policemen in Nigeria to determine their state of mental health.
In a statement condemning the killing, the Minister of Women
Affairs, Dame Pauline K. Tallen, said all Nigerian women were demanding justice
as a crime against one woman is a crime against all women.
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| Dame Pauline Tallen |
Her words: “It is still unbelievable that a Police Officer
who is supposed to be protecting lives has turned out to be a murderer. How do we explain how an ASP attached to
Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State pull a trigger at a vehicle with women
and children resulting in the death of a female Lawyer Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem,
on Christmas Day?
“As the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, we are still in
shock and strongly condemn this dastardly act. We view it as a crime against
humanity in all its ramifications. Nigerian women demand justice as a crime
against one woman is a crime against all.”
Tallen noted that although, the ministry was glad that the
Inspector General of Police has condemned the unfortunate incident. Women were
demanding stiffer penalties as a deterrent measure to forestall any such
occurrence in the future.
“While we are monitoring with keen interest the next line
of action, we sympathize with the family
of our sister at this time. This is indeed a great loss not only to her family
and the legal profession but Nigerian women.”
NRHJN seeks psychological tests for policemen
In a related development, the Network of Reproductive Health
Journalists of Nigeria, NRHJN, had called for mandatory psychological testing
for all members of the Nigeria Police.
In a statement, Mrs. Yinka Shokunbi and Mrs. Sekinal Lawal,
President and National Secretary of the Network respectively, observed that
even though the IGP has waded into the incident and ordered the speedy trial of
all the men found culpable in the killing, it will be expedient that the Police
conduct regular and periodic psychological checks within its rank and file.
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| Mrs Yinka Shokunbi |
According to the Network, psychological testing of the
police had become crucial as it is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of
mental health conditions and disorders.
“It is disheartening and very unwarranted the gruesome
killing of innocent lawyer and mother of one, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem by a
policeman at Ajah, Lagos State on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. The
death of Bolanle Raheem from a gunshot wound according to a news report is the
second by the policemen from this same Ajiwe Police station, Ajah, Lagos within
a month.
“While the hierarchy of the Police has made arrests and sent
the trigger-happy policemen behind the bars awaiting trial, members of the
Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria demand that the Nigeria
Police Force does more than send such evil men behind the bars. Members of the
Network cannot understand why a policeman would pull the trigger if mentally
stable and balanced.”
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| Mrs Sekinat Lawal |
According to the Network, “The incessant killings of
innocent men and women and youths by the disbanded SARS was what was
responsible for the 2020 anti-SARS protest in the country in which several
young people were killed and the nation is yet to heal from the aftermath that
is seeing thousands of young people fleeing the country in the "Japa"
syndrome.
“The country is now counting its numerous losses following
the mass exodus of young professionals due to hardship and unwarranted killings
by the policemen. The killing of a pregnant woman in the presence of her family
on a day of joy is heartless, inhuman, unjust, and dastardly to say the least.
“We demand that the IGP ordered for a thorough investigation
of the Ajiwe Police station and the claims that the station is notorious and
find a way to include regular medical checkups including psychological checks
on all members of the police who interface with the public. Enough is enough
before another ‘#ENDSARS’ happens!”
The late Bolanle Raheem was shot dead on Christmas day
around Ajah under a bridge in Lagos when a policeman among those who mounted
roadblocks at the spot reportedly opened fire on the vehicle conveying the
deceased and her family as they were returning from Church, killing Bolanle who
was said to be pregnant at the time. Rather than save the life of the woman
after the shooting, the policemen reportedly took to their heels
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