Just when Nigerians thought they had seen the last of extrajudicial killings by policemen, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi, attached to the Ajah Division, Ajah, Lagos, killed a pregnant lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.
The deceased was said to be coming from an eatery with some family members on Christmas Day and had tried to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the policeman shot at her vehicle.
The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead. It was also gathered that the woman, a mother of four, was seven-month pregnant.
The state police spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Benjamin Hundeyin, said two other police officers who were with the ASP at the scene of the incident had also been arrested for interrogation.
Expectedly, the extrajudicial killing of the Lagos lawyer has generated outrage among Nigerians.
While condemning the killings, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledged the state government’s “full cooperation” with the relevant authorities to ensure speedy justice in the matter.
In the considered opinion of this Newspaper, this is a monumental tragedy. We are tempted to ask, how long are we going to continue with these indiscriminate killings by the police? Earlier this month, a 31-year-old man identified as Gafaru Buraimoh of Land Estate, Ajah, was shot dead by a police officer attached to Ajah Divisional Police Lagos State Command.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) disclosed last year that security operatives killed over 13,000 people extrajudicially in Nigeria from 2011 to 2021.
In October 2020, Nigerian youths staged a massive protest over police brutality and extrajudicial killings in most parts of the country. The protest, tagged Endsars, was aimed at ending the extrajudicial killings by men of the police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Although the squad has been disbanded, it seems nothing has changed with the police.
Extrajudicial killing by police is a grave and heinous crime that has no place in any society. It is a blatant violation of human rights and a disgrace to the nation.
Unfortunately, this issue is all too common in Nigeria, where police officers have been known to use their positions of power to carry out unlawful killings without any accountability.
The federal government must take swift and decisive action to bring an end to these brutal and unacceptable crimes. It must conduct thorough investigation and hold officers accountable for their actions, as well as provide support and compensation for the families of the victims.
Furthermore, there must be concerted efforts to reform and modernise the police force. This must include providing adequate training and resources to officers, as well as implementing policies that prioritise de-escalation of coercion and promote the respect for human rights.
Indeed, there is the need to look at the recruitment system of the police force. A system where thugs, cultists and ne’er- do- wells are recruited into the police force must stop.
It is no secret that the recruitment process for the police force in Nigeria has long been marred by corruption and nepotism. This has resulted in a force that is poorly trained and equipped to handle the challenges it faces, and has contributed to widespread mistrust of the police among the public.
The root of the problem lies in the fact that the recruitment process is not transparent or fair. Instead of being based on merit, it is often influenced by political connections and bribe-paying. This has led to a situation where those who are most qualified and capable of fulfilling the duties of a police officer are often overlooked.
The consequences of this system are severe. The police force is not able to attract the best and brightest candidates, and as a result, it is not able to effectively serve and protect the public. In addition, the lack of transparency and fairness in the recruitment process undermines the public’s trust in the police, which is essential for maintaining law and order.
It is imperative that the government take steps to address this problem and implement a more fair and transparent recruitment process for the police force. This could include measures such as increasing transparency in the selection process, establishing clear criteria for eligibility, and implementing strict penalties for those who engage in corrupt practices.
By addressing these issues, the government can begin to rebuild trust in the police force and ensure that it is able to effectively serve and protect the public. This is a necessary step in improving public safety and strengthening the rule of law in Nigeria.
Also, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the police force is held accountable for its actions and that justice is served for the victims of torture, brutality and extrajudicial killings.
The people of Nigeria deserve to live in a country where they are protected, not oppressed, by those who are meant to serve and protect them. It is high time the government took decisive action to address this ongoing crisis and bring an end to these shocking and unacceptable crimes.
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