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How Lagos policeman killed my pregnant wife – Lawyer’s husband

Published

1 year ago

December 27, 2022

• Killer cop 33 years in service, Atiku, Sanwo-Olu, NBA fume

Gbenga Raheem, the husband of a female lawyer, Omobolanle, who was shot dead by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, has narrated how his wife was killed.

Gbenga spoke on Monday when sympathisers visited his house in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro had exclusively reported that Omobolanle was 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 cop shot at her vehicle.

The 41-year-old woman was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

Our correspondents gathered that the woman, who had a child, was seven-month pregnant when tragedy struck.

Vandi, who was attached to the Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, Lagos State, was said to have spent 33 years in the police force.

One of our correspondents obtained a voice recording from one of the lawyers who visited the deceased’s family.

The victim’s husband, Gbenga, said, “On December 25, my wife, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who had come for the holiday, all went to church. On our way back, my wife said since it was Christmas Day, we should take everyone out, so, we went to a supermarket at Abraham Adesanya, then to Domino’s Pizza.

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“After that, we headed towards Ajah to do a U-turn to come back to Abraham Adesanya. When we took the U-turn, we saw policemen stopping some vehicles. As we approached them, they said we should stop, and in the process, we heard a loud sound on my wife’s side window. All of a sudden, I saw blood gushing out of her chest.

“I immediately ran out; my sister-in-law, who was also with us, ran out and held the policeman; he cocked his gun at her too. Talking to him was pointless, so I went to see if anything could be done; I saw my wife gasping for breath, and by that time, my sister-in-law had brought the policeman into the car and pushed him into the front seat.

“We drove to a hospital but they said they couldn’t handle it; we eventually took her to Grandville Hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The policemen took her body and put it in the truck; they wanted me to follow them but I said I needed to go and settle my children.”

PUNCH Metro gathered that Bolanle, a graduate of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, recently moved from litigation practice to property law.

She was the Chief Executive Officer of Croston Homes and co-founder, City Building, a real estate and property development company.

The deceased worshipped with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Olive Tree Parish, Banana Island, Ikoyi. Lagos, where she functioned as a Sunday school teacher.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, in a statement on Monday by the Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ordered speedy prosecution of all the policemen involved in her killing.

Adejobi said, “The IGP, who described the incident as unfortunate and sad, has ordered speedy investigation and prosecution of the officers responsible for the ugly and unprofessional act, which doesn’t portray the Nigeria Police Standard Operating Procedure and core values.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the police would carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement in a bid to put an end to such avoidable incidents.

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He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer in Ajah on Sunday, December 25, 2022.

“On the instruction of the Commissioner of Police, the errant officer has since been taken into custody alongside his team members. The CP has equally directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, for an in-depth investigation.”

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State chapter, Ikechukwu Uwanna, on Monday, said the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, and his executive committee were monitoring the situation.

He said members of the union also met the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station and the state Commissioner of Police to ensure that justice prevailed.

The NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, in a statement, said the union president had demanded that the police disclose the details of the killer cop.

He said, “The NBA president has engaged the police authorities, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, (Mr Bode Adeyinka Adeleke) as well as the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, (Mr Abiodun Alabi). In this regard, the NBA is able to report that the Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the suspected murderer of our member is one ASP Drambi Vandi, an officer, who has been in the police service for 33 years!

“The NBA president has informed the police of the resolve of the NBA to be a complainant in this case along with the family of late Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.”

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promised speedy justice for the lawyer.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Monday, stated that his administration would not tolerate the killing of citizens by law enforcers who should protect them.

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He said, “I’m aware that the Lagos State Police Command has arrested, disarmed and detained the police officers involved in the shooting incident. I can assure you that the accused persons will have their day in court and nothing will be spared under the laws of Lagos State until justice is served adequately. We will ensure that it is done speedily because justice delayed is justice denied.”

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the killing of the lawyer.

Atiku, in a post on his Facebook page wrote, “The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned. This latest shooting calls to attention the urgent need for police reforms that will sanitise the force and bring it in line with best policing practices.

“I call on the police authorities and the justice system to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied. This will serve as a deterrent to the incidents of irresponsible shooting of innocent citizens by law enforcement agents.”

Meanwhile, Nigerians have demanded the removal of the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, saying extra-judicial killings are becoming rampant in the division.

Recall that on December 7, 2022, one Gafaru Buraimoh was shot dead by a policeman attached to the division.

A Twitter user, @announcer, wrote, “CP Lagos, help Ajah. This is the second incident in less than three months at Ajah.”

Another user, @Iceugwa, said, “Demote the DPO, area commander and the CP Lagos State as a caution for not controlling their men.”

Related Topics:Lagos policeman lawyer Pregnant Wife

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Alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Moniker Mandi, arrested

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May 2, 2024

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Alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Moniker Mandi, arrested

Police have arrested the alleged mastermind of the killing of passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train.

The incident happened in March 2022.

The mastermind was Identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.

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The Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made this known on Thursday.

He informed the media that the suspect had also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.

The Police said that 48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts are underway to identify his sponsor and supplier of weapons.

Alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Moniker Mandi, arrested

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Woman kills three children over cheating husband

Published

15 mins ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Woman kills three children over cheating husband

A yet-to-be identified woman has reportedly killed her three children following her disapproval of her husband engaging in extramarital affairs.

This was revealed in a statement by an X user, @miss_she_du, on Wednesday.

According to her, the woman trailed her husband to the hotel, where she affirmed his clandestine randy acts.

She noted that following her revelation that her husband cheated on her, she headed home, carried the three kids she bore him, and tossed them over a bridge.

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“A woman caught her husband cheating,” she said. “She already had three kids for him.

“She followed him to the hotel where he was and made sure he saw her. So, she left the hotel without saying a word,” she added.

Further, she revealed that “she went home and carried her three kids, then threw them over the bridge into the water and left them to die.”

She added that “the intriguing part is all the three kids were below three years old, and she had a set of twins among the kids and one single kid.

Woman kills three children over cheating husband

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Man shot dead during fuel queue in Lagos

Published

30 mins ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Man shot dead during fuel queue in Lagos

Toheeb Eniasa, a young man, was shot at a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited filling station in Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Our correspondent learned that the incident occurred late Wednesday and has left residents in terror.

Our journalist, who is currently on the scene, has learned from residents that Eniasa was in the queue for petrol when the tragedy occurred.

While in the queue, two individuals, thought to be military officers, attempted to drive into the station to buy petrol, despite the fact that they were not in the queue for the product.

This, our correspondent learnt, was met with stiff resistance from people in the queue; many of whom had been waiting for hours.

Several eyewitnesses confirmed that Eniasa spearheaded the argument, telling the men to join the queue like everyone else.

This further degenerated into a fisticuff and the eventual death of the young man after one of the men shot him and fled the scene.

Nigerians have been struggling to buy fuel in the last few days.

The scarcity has led to an increase in transport fares and queues at various filling stations selling the product.

A resident, who gave his name as Mr. Amos Ayo, who said he witnessed the incident, alleged that the officers were from the Department of State Services as they had their branded polo shirts.

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Ayo narrated, “I saw them. They are men of the DSS. They came to the scene to buy fuel but refused to join the queue.

“That is what they always do. It was not Toheeb’s turn yet but he confronted them, asking them to join the queue or be polite about the way they went about the purchase.

“One of them was so impatient. He slapped Toheeb and he retaliated with more words. Before we could know it, we heard gunshots and Toheeb fell to the ground.”

A woman who said she was clearing up her alcoholic bitters stand close to the station but refused to give her name for security reasons, told our correspondent that she heard the gunshot at about 9.30 p.m. and fled the scene.

She said, “I did not even wait to see what was happening. I ran as fast as I could before any stray bullet will hit me. But, I heard from the people who were there that it was two soldiers.

“They are not policemen. One shot the young man and ran away. I learnt they caught one but he still managed to escape eventually.”

Also speaking, a young man who gave his name as Capo said that he knew the deceased.

“This place (Obalende) is a very small place. Everybody knows everybody. Toheeb stays in the Dolphin Estate area. He is a Muslim. He is supposed to be buried today but his body has been taken by the police to the morgue for investigation and possibly autopsy,” he said.

Asked whether he was at the scene of the crime, Capo said, “Of course, I was there. I saw it with my own eyes. We were the ones who pursued the men that did the crime but one of them shot his gun in the air and people ran away. That was the way he could escape.

“One hid under a bus so we set it on fire. He also ran away. We initially thought they were policemen but they are not. I can tell you that for free. Just imagine how they have taken the life of that young man now for nothing.”

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Another young man who spoke on condition of anonymity because of his safety also said he was at the scene.

“I was at Obalende. I was coming back from work. I can tell you that the shooter is not a policeman but a DSS officer who came to buy fuel but was stopped by Toheeb and his friends.

“They told him that he must join the queue. The man, from what I learnt, told them that the manager was aware of his coming but Toheeb and some other men refused him entry.

“Some guys in the area broke a bottle and were about to attack the officer during the argument and that was when the shots were fired, and they ran away,” he said.

The man added, “They burnt two vehicles yesterday. I was so scared as I walked home that night because there were no buses. Everyone was scared. Even the long queue dispersed and the station was closed.”

Efforts by our correspondent to reach the branch manager of the station to speak were abortive, as his staff members said he was not around and that no one was authorised to speak on his behalf.

However, a young staff, whom our correspondent convinced to speak, said military officers, veterans and the aged were given preferential treatment during fuel purchases.

“Whenever there is a scarcity like this, we prioritise military men and the like. That is one thing Nigerians need to know. Our manager was aware they were coming and told us to open the gate for them but the people in the queue were just not cooperative,” he said.

Police confirm shooting

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said a young man, Toheeb Eniasa, was killed and two vehicles burnt. He, however, said the identity of the shooters was not yet ascertained as investigations were ongoing.

He said, “I can confirm that somebody was shot dead. I can confirm that the body has been deposited in the morgue.

“Two vehicles were burnt. The identity of the shooter is still unknown but investigations are ongoing to unravel that. The deceased’s name is Toheeb Eniasa.”

Reacting to the incident via a text message, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunnaya, denied any of its officers was part of the imbroglio.

He said, “It is not true (that a DSS officer shot Toheeb). Kindly deepen your investigations to uncover the truth. No single DSS staff was involved in the matter.”