•••Says Nigeria Must Not Allow Waste of Human Life
The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed shock over the Christmas Day killing of Lagos Lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, by a trigger happy policeman.
A police officer of the rank of ASP had fired a shot hitting the Mrs Raheem as she tried to make the U-turn under the Ajah Bridge in Lagos on Christmas Day.
Obi described the tragic death of Mrs Rasheed as a huge loss to her immediate family in a post in his official Twitter handle on Tuesday.
He expressed concern over the level of training of the personnel of the Nigerian police saying a well trained security outfit does not engage in brutality.
Obi said that avoidable killings like hers and other Nigerians remain the reason he would embark on extensive reforms in the security sector.
The LP Candidate stressed that Nigerians under whatever circumstances should not allow any waste of human life.
“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 Late Mrs. Bolanle Raheem rest in perfect peace. My sincere condolence to her family.”
