As widespread reactions continue to trail the Christmas Day killing of Lagos-based Lawyer, Bolanle Raheem by trigger-happy cop, Drambi Vandi, an assistant superintendent of police, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite says it is "high time numerous call for genuine police reforms is taken seriously by authorities concerned in our nation". In a media release made available by the Special Adviser on Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, Adegbite said "the number of innocent lives that have been cut down by bad eggs in the police force is quite disturbing and alarming.
The Christian community in Lagos deeply commiserate with the husband and entire family of Mrs. Bolanle Raheem and it is our prayer that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who is the great comforter will strengthen them at this dark and challenging time. And as we call for prayers and support for the family, I call on Mr. President and the joint committees of the National Assembly on Police Affairs to immediately order a process that would review and amend the Police Act 2020 as it relates to the use of force by men of the Nigeria Police Force and the nature of arm they must bear while on civilian duties as against Military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required of them as specified in our present laws.
Also, there should be constant psychological evaluation of men especially those in the force who bear arms and their mental state and capacity to do so. People are going through different mental health issues and men of the NPF are not exempted. And because they have a specialised assignment, periodic assessmentof their state of mind cannot be overemphasised."
He added that situations like this calls for drastic measures and it is imperative that this moment must be used to achieve measures that would prevent future occurrences. "There are many Drambi Vandi in the NPF and all must be done to fish them out for the sake of the sanity of the innocent civilians they are meant to protect. The functions of the Nigeria Police Force were specified in section 4 of the Police Act (Laws of the Federation 1990)13 and one of it is Protection of life and property. Its obvious that trust between the police and citizens has broken down irretrievably and a sincere and transparent process that will birth new reforms that are people friendly is the only thing that can rebuild the much needed confidence."
Adegbite added that justice must be fully served in this matter as that in itself would serve as a deterrent to other bad eggs in the system. In his words, "public perception around the treatment of police officers who do unthinkable things of this nature need be changed. It is believed that many of them do what they do having it in mind that their acts would be covered up on the long run and they would get a soft landing at the end of the day. The NPF need to correct this or else, building an effective community relations would be difficult"
The unfortunate incident took place at Ajah Under Bridge area of Lagos on Sunday.
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