Two police officers arrested in connection with the murder of a Lagos lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, have been released.
The police command in Lagos revealed that the security operatives were released because they were not involved in the actual killing of Ms Raheem. Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesman for the police in Lagos, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday while giving an update on the killing.
“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 they were immediately taken into protective custody and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department 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.”
An assistant superintendent of police (ASP), Dambri Vandi, and two other officers attached to Ajiwe police station in the Ajah area were apprehended by the police for killing Ms Raheem on Christmas Day.
On the update about a similar killing of one Gafaru Buraimoh on December 7 by a police officer from the same station, Mr Hundeyin said the officer was still in detention, yet to be charged to court because his dismissal order had not been released.
“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 noted that when the first incident occurred on December 7, the commissioner of police, Abiodun Alabi, changed the station’s DPO.
“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.”
The command promised to “carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents,” appealing to residents to be calm.
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