Some inmates at the the Kumasi Central prisons have reportedly tried to escape custody after some sections of the building were set ablaze on Wednesday evening.
Contrary to earlier reports that the fire had been set by the inmates, Public Relations Officer of the prison, ASP James Annan, stated that the fire started after a part of the building was struck by lightning during a storm.
He told Citi News that the inmates had been asked to come outside while the fire was being attended to, but some of them attempted to flee.
“We had a short rainfall here in Kumasi and it was accompanied by a thunderstorm. So when the [lightning] struck, one of the cells caught fire. That is what happened and we had to open the inmates for their lives to be spared.” ASP Annan said.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong in an interview with Citi News rebuffed suggestions that there were not enough police personnel at the prison to deal with the prisoners.
“The situation is under control but the prisoners decided to take advantage and misbehave. They had been throwing missiles outside, indicating that they had wanted to escape but the police were very swift. They have been able to contain the situation and the prison officers have also moved in to calm the thing. I think the men here are enough to contain the situation.” he told the journalists at the scene.
An eyewitness, told Citi News that the riotous prisoners threw objects at the police and attempted to pull down one of the walls to gain access to the females’ side of the prison.
Reports indicate that at least four police men have been injured in the clashes and have since been rushed to the Konfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment.
According to the eyewitness, some of the injured officers had to be “taken to the hospital on foot” as there were no ambulances available at the time.
There are also unconfirmed reports that the inmates had acquired some weapons with which they were fighting back the police, including an improvised bow and arrows.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana