The mother of the late Omobolanle Raheem, the lawyer who was shot by Drambi Vandi, a police officer at Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State, said the victim was pregnant with twins.
The grieving woman spoke to the family during a condolence visit by State Police Commissioner Abiodun Alabi on Tuesday, according to TheCable.
She said: “I can’t see my ‘The Law’ anymore. People usually call them “The Law”. She was taken from me. She was pregnant with twins.
“She died with her glory. She left behind a five-year-old daughter. And they took her away.
“On Monday, my granddaughter came to me and said, ‘Grandmother Iju Ishaga, I saw you yesterday when you were crying; you screamed is it because of my mom?’ And I said ‘yes’.
“Then she came back and said to me, ‘Pastor Jerry said what God can’t do doesn’t exist; So, grandma, stop crying. And she kissed me on the cheek.
“It’s not easy. A kid I’ve coached since childhood. I’ve suffered because of her. I’ve peddled oranges; there’s nothing I haven’t done.”
PUNCH Metro had reported that Vandi and his team attempted to stop the car carrying Raheem and her family as they turned under the Ajah Bridge.
The officer shot the vehicle and Raheem was hit with a bullet.
She was taken to a hospital where her death was confirmed.
A senior security official at Ajiwe Police Station who spoke to PUNCH Metro said Vandi claimed an accidental dismissal.
The source said: “He was questioned yesterday morning (Monday) by the DPO and some senior police officers. He said he cocked his gun to scare someone earlier and forgot to put it back in the safe. When the victim arrived at the checkpoint, he attempted to repeat the same act but mistakenly pulled the trigger.”
The source revealed the killer cop was due for a promotion next year.
“Vandi is a quiet officer. He is set to be promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Police by February 2023, retiring in 2024 before the unfortunate incident.
“He shouldn’t be part of the team that went out that morning either. Also, he was also assigned a pistol rather than the AK-47. We don’t know how it turned out he was in possession of the gun,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin has announced that two police officers arrested with Vandi would be released.
He said: “The two police officers who were arrested along with the ASP and who killed the lawyer will be released today (Tuesday) after giving their statements to the command. They were arrested because they saw what happened. They weren’t the ones who allegedly killed the woman. They have told their stories of what happened and the CP has ordered them to be released while the investigation continues.”
He explained that another police officer from the division who killed one Gafaru Buraimoh on December 7 would be charged after the investigation was completed.
In response to the incident, the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), ordered Nigerian police to take “the strongest possible action” against the suspect.
The President also assured the family of the deceased and members of the Nigerian Bar Association that justice will prevail, in a statement signed by his spokesman Garba Shehu.
He noted that the incident was “a stark reminder of the recurring threat of gun misuse” and a wake-up call for law enforcement, including the police, to ensure full implementation of reforms initiated by the regime.
The Police Service Commission also condemned the killing in a statement from its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, and called on the Nigerian police to improve officers’ training to end unprovoked shootings and killings of innocent Nigerians.
The National Human Rights Commission, while condemning the killing, said Vandi “did not conform to standard operating procedures and professional ethics of the Nigerian police.”
The commission, in a statement from its Deputy Director (Corporate Affairs and External Liaisons), Fatimah Mohammed, said it will continue to monitor the process of investigating and prosecuting the officer to ensure justice is done.
PUNCH Metro noted that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also sent a delegation to the family on Tuesday.
The group included Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN; Head of Service, Muri Okunola; Commissioner for Women and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada; and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The AG said: “We have permission from the Governor to tell you that justice will be done in this matter. The matter will be taken to court once the police send us the case file. I will lead the prosecution to show the seriousness the government takes on this matter.”
The Lekki Estates Residents and Interest Groups Association also called for immediate action to stop the police killings of its members.
The association’s president, Olorogun Emadoye, explained that the group has started working with the relevant authorities to find permanent solutions to such incidents.