Mr Macaroni, a popular comedian and activist, has claimed that insecurity in Lagos State has worsened during the tenure of the state’s current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
On Monday morning, Macaroni announced this via his Twitter handle. He also bemoaned the state’s oppression, brutality, and extrajudicial killings, and chastised the governor for failing to “control” the police.
The comedian was reacting to the death of a female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, by a police officer on Christmas Day in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
Newsclick Nigeria had reported that the incident threw the community into confusion as the cop, who was with a team of policemen, fled the scene.
It was gathered that the woman was trying to make a U-turn under the Ajah Bridge when the cop shot at her vehicle. The bullet was said to have hit the victim and she was rushed to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Reacting to the incident, Macaroni tweeted, “Dear Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu, the level of insecurity, oppression, brutality and extra-judicial killings since you became governor has worsened. You don’t control the police? Ok. But you are the chief security officer of the state. What are you doing about it sir?”
Also responding to a tweet by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, Macaroni told the police superintendent that “If it was a civilian that the police accused of a crime, even before proven guilty, you will give us their names, even snap pictures or make videos after beating them up. Keep protecting yours.
“I pray that all our oppressors will answer for their crimes against humanity one day,” he added.
The state police PRO had also via his Twitter handle commiserated with the family of the deceased adding that the policeman who committed the act had been arrested and transferred to the state criminal Investigations Department.
Hundeyin wrote, “Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody. They are to be moved to the SCID for further investigation.
“The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that justice will definitely prevail.”
Newsclick Nigeria had earlier reported that the Nigerian Bar Association had said it would ensure that justice is served in the case, adding that the association’s president had stated that the case would be closely monitored.