According to an internal communique from the Upper East Regional Police Command,  the attack occurred when some soldiers confronted the police officer, Asiamah Raymond, and ordered him to remove his military shorts.

The communique indicated that the police officer was paying a visit to his colleagues on duty at a visibility post opposite Bank of Africa, Bolgatanga branch, when the incident occurred.

Narrating the circumstances under which the police officer was assaulted, the communique said:  “A military vehicle, passing by stopped and the driver confronted Asiamah Raymond as to why he was wearing Military camouflage shorts. After explaining to the military man that he bought it from the open market, he was subsequently instructed to go and remove it.”

“Asiamah Raymond went home, changed and came to his colleagues on duty at the Royal Chief Palace, Bolga. While there, two military vehicles each full of armed men, led by their detachment commander, stopped on seeing Asiamah Raymond and subjected him to severe beatings with their weapons.”

Though Asiamah Raymond subsequently ran into a palace situated in the area for rescue,  the military men followed him up and arrested him after which they escorted him to his house and retrieved the said military shorts.

According to the communique,  Asiamah’s two other colleagues; Constable Bowan Njokoni Listowel and Lance Corporal Akoto Ebenezer, as well as one other civilian were also attacked in the process.

The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Vincent Redeemer Dedzo, and the Regional Minister subsequently brought the situation under control.

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By: Marian Ansah and Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This, according to the Minister, will ensure that police officers are not worse off than their counterparts in the military.

Mr. Dery gave this assurance at the one-week observation of the passing of the police officer who was shot dead in last Sunday’s attack on the Kwabenya  Police Station.

“As the IGP said, some provisions have been made for the family of the deceased officer. That provision is not a provision that existed in the past. It is a special provision that was initiated by the President and at the appropriate time the details will be known to the family. But Mr. President is committed to institutionalizing a system that will ensure that when a police officer dies in the line of duty, they are not worse off than their colleagues who die in the army,” the Minister stated.

A gang of suspected armed robbers attacked the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters, which accommodates the Kwabenya Police Station, killing the officer on duty, and freeing cell inmates.

A total of seven inmates were freed but three of them have since been rearrested.

In the latest development, the Accra Police Command has picked up the man believed to have shot the police officer dead and four other suspects.

While emphasizing government’s commitment to making Ghanaians feel safe, the Minister further assured the bereaved family of its commitment to making life easier for them.

“The President’s commitment to make Ghana safe and Ghanaians safe is unshakable and nothing is going to stand in his way of ensuring that.”

The Minister further extended condolences on behalf of the President, saying “Today [Sunday], I’m here on behalf of his excellency the President to express his condolence to the bereaved family and to put on record his appreciation, his admiration, his acknowledgement of the heroism and professionalism. “

He also gave the assurance of the Police Service’s commitment to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in getting the perpetrators of the act to face the law.

“I believe those who followed have realized that a number of suspects have been arrested . They shall be brought to justice and no one should think that they can take the law into their hands.”

State burial for deceased

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased police officer wants the state to honour him with a state funeral.

Spokesperson for the family, Robert Normesinu Ashilevi, who made the request on their behalf at the ceremony to mark a week since his brother’s passing, said the tragic manner in which their breadwinner died necessitates such an honour.

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By: Marian Ansah & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Spokesperson for the family, Robert Normesinu Ashilevi, who made the request on their behalf at the ceremony to mark a week since his brother’s passing, said the tragic manner in which their breadwinner died necessitated such an honour.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mGequuUtbwPFdWCdx0dVs1Xd2YJNyfrG”]Mr. Ashilevi however noted that, the family is happy with the police’s pursuit of their son’s suspected killer so far .

He however called on government to use the tragic passing of Inspector Emmanuel Ashilevi to beef up the general security of police officers across the country.

“Taking into account the circumstances leading to his death, the family will highly appreciate it if the state can accord him a state burial. We will appreciate it,” he said.

This request comes days after the family asked the government to establish a fund to cater for the education of his children.

The ceremony drew mourners from the police hierarchy including the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, Director General of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, the Director General of Operations, COP George Dampare, and the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Alex Mensah.

The widow and bereaved family were treated to dirges by the Eastern Regional Police Band.

Background

A gang of suspected armed robbers attacked the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters, which accommodates the Kwabenya Police Station, killing the officer on duty, and freeing cell inmates.

A total of seven inmates were freed but three of them have since been rearrested.

‘Cop killer busted’

In the latest development, the Accra Police Command has picked up the man believed to have shot the police officer dead.

The suspect has been identified as Kofi Seshie, aged 28.

Seshie was arrested along with four other suspects in the early hours of Saturday at Kasoa, according to a statement from the police.

The statement said these latest arrests bring the number of people detained following the incident to eleven, after six suspects were arrested during the week.

The police had announced a GHc15,000 bounty for any information leading to the arrest of the other four suspects who were freed from police custody by the robbers.

The now deceased Police officer sustained gunshot wounds and died whilst receiving treatment at the 37 Military Hospital.

He was the breadwinner for a family of seven with the youngest being three years.

‘No mercy’

Government has since condemned the attack on the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, assured that persons involved in the act will face the law.

“First of all government condemns the criminal conduct of these elements in the strongest possible terms. There is a manhunt for these criminal elements and we have no doubts in our minds that they will be brought to face justice.

“Government takes this opportunity to express its deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased policeman… While this is one of the isolated incidents that have unsettled the Ghanaian population, we wish to continue to assure the Ghanaian people that the security agencies are working to ensure the general safety of the population. The preventive mechanism of the Police Service remains intact which helps to nip such occurrences in the bud before they become full-blown criminal activities.”

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By: Marian Ansah & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A gang of suspected armed robbers on Sunday dawn attacked the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters, which accommodates the Kwabenya Police Station, killing an officer on duty, and freeing seven cell inmates.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Cnu4ExAyzwWwdrcb2DYyoxPD0vUrxfjf”]Following the incident, many have questioned the quality of the country’s security, as the police station in question lacked a basic equipment such as a Close Circuit Television, CCTV.

Many have largely blamed inadequate resource and logistics for the inability of the police to provide the needed security.

Briefing the media after a five hour crucial meeting between Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, the Police Command led by the IGP and other government officials, Mr. Dery said these recent developments do not in anyway suggest that government has lost its grip over the security situation in the country.

“There are challenges with our security and we will deal with it. Has government lost control over security ?No. Can we do better? Yes…And we are going to work together to deal with the issue” he said.

Mr. Dery also pointed out that, government will apprehend suspects involved in the Kwabenya incident, saying “the Police are on top of it. They are investigating it. They are making progress. We believe we will get back the people who have perpetrated it and we will deal with it.”

“I believe we need to confront the situation. How can we make it better. We have to work together and see how several ministries can come together. We need to deal with it. We have to get a sustainable way of dealing with it,” he added.

Gov’t condemns Kwabenya attack, assures Ghanaians of security

On Tuesday, the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, also assured that persons involved in the incident will be arrested to face the law.

“First of all, government condemns the criminal conduct of these elements in the strongest possible terms. There is a manhunt for these criminal elements and we have no doubts in our minds that they will be brought to face justice.

“Government takes this opportunity to express its deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased policeman… While this is one of the isolated incidents that have unsettled the Ghanaian population, we wish to continue to assure the Ghanaian people that the security agencies are working to ensure the general safety of the population. The preventive mechanism of the Police Service remains intact which helps to nip such occurrences in the bud before they become full blown criminal activities.”

There have been several robbery incidents in many parts of the country, and also cases of political party vigilantism appear not to have stopped, a year after the New Patriotic Party [NPP] came into office.

Between 2016, 2017 and January 2018, 17 police officers have lost their lives in their line of duty. The total number of deaths from 2013 to date, is 48.

Alleged NPP thugs ransack Wa MCE’s residence

Between December 2016 and 2017, Citi News recorded over 20 separate cases of political party violence.

On Sunday, January 2018, some thugs believed to be aligned to the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) in the Wa municipality of the Upper West Region, ransacked and vandalized the private residence of the Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Issahaku Moomin Tahiru.

The rampaging youth also vandalized the family house of the MCE and two other houses belonging to his supporters.

The incident happened at Wa Zongo around 3:00pm. The MCE, who is said to be the target of the weapon- wielding rampaging youth, was out of his house at the time of the incident.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Earlier reports indicated that, Corporal Adjei Shaibu opened fire on five students when he came across them on their way to a rap concert at Shama Junction, in the Western Region after accusing them of being armed robbers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”j19D6h5bGAyohpdWECtFjdp18IdRhXHl”]The case which was called at the Takoradi District Court yesterday [Thursday] has been adjourned to January 12, 2018.

Speaking to journalists, counsel for the accused, Edmond Acquaah Arhin however said the request for adjournment was against the right of his client.

Lawyer Edmond Acquaah- Arhin stated that “my client has told me that he did not shoot anybody, the gunshot was not from him. The police is supposed to proof that my client had a gun, shot it and the resultant shooting is what has happened. So my client tells me he did not shoot, he was not wielding a gun, he was not at that particular place at that particular time. So we are here for the prosecution to prove that indeed he did that”.

He continued that he has “so many doubts” that his client committed the act.

“If the stories that we have heard in the media is anything to go by, and it is the same story that the police is going to rely on, I will be surprised. For the information that I have, the investigations I have also done, and the interrogation I have done with my client and the lady he accompanied, it will be extremely difficult for the police to prove their case.”

The State Prosecutor however assured that the investigation team will do everything to ascertain the circumstances that led to the killing of the victim, Lawrence Baidoo.

Meanwhile the second victim who sustained gun wounds is undergoing surgery.

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By Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He was arrested at a hotel in the Abuakwa South district of the Eastern Region upon a tip-off.

The suspect, according to residents have been molesting and extorting money from residents in and around Bunso junction.

Confirming the arrest to Citi News, the Kibi Municipal Police Commander DSP Mariam Osei-Adu, said the suspect arrived in the town some three months ago and told residents he was in to investigate a murder case.

DSP Osei-Adu added that the police was processing him for court.

“We got the information that the gentleman, in his early 30s was going around telling people that he is a CID officer. When he arrived at the place some three months ago and rented a place at Bunso. According to residents, he said he was a CID man and he was there purposely to investigate a murder case. I think the people in observing him clearly and from his conversation and actions, suspected that he was not a CID officer so they alerted the police. He is now in custody and we are preparing him for court.”

The police rely heavily on tip-offs and reports on suspicious characters within the community to bust imposters.

The police have struggled in the past few years to deal with persons who pose as military and police officers and molest citizens.

Some of these imposters also promise jobs and other essential services and abscond after receiving huge sums of money from their victims.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The money was withdrawn from a bank by the student who had been sent by his elder brother.

The Police officers are General lance Corporal Isaac Amejor and Constable Samuel Asamoah. They were charged alongside Crosby Ofori Danso, an unemployed man.

They have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime to robbery and robbery before the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh.

The court has remanded them into Police custody to reappear on April 7.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mawuenyo Nanegbe told the court that the complainant is Christopher Haga while the policemen Amejor and Asamoah are police officers at the Rapid Deployment Force headquarters and Kasoa respectively.

On March 19, this year, the complainant was sent by his brother to withdraw cash in the sum of GHc 11,000 cedis at Global Access bank at Abeka-Lapaz.

Prosecution said after withdrawing the money, the complainant was waiting for a taxi home when the accused persons attacked him.

Amejor who was in Police uniform and armed with AK 47 rifle together with Asamoah and Danso pushed the complainant into a waiting taxi and sped off to Nyaho Clinic at Dzorwulu.

DSP Nanegbe said the accused persons informed the complainant that they have information that the money he withdrew from the bank was “ stolen money” as such he was needed at the Police headquarters for questioning.

According to the prosecutor the complainant disagreed with accused persons and denied any wrong doing.

Prosecution said the accused insisted the bank transaction was fraudulent.

The complainant however agreed to follow the accused persons to the Police headquarters but pleaded with them to allow him to communicate with his brother who sent him.

The prosecutor said the accused persons declined and drove the taxi to the Ghana International Trade Fair site and at gun point threatened to kill him if he dared them.

The accused then took the money from the complainant and pushed him out of the taxi and sped off.

When the complainant informed his brother about the incident he advised him to return home. However on his way, the complainant spotted Amejor on duty at Prudential Bank, Bawaleshie branch and informed his brother who mobilized to get Amejor arrested.

When Amejor was searched, GHc 2,000 cedis was retrieved from him. Amejor led the Police to arrest Danso who also refunded GH 4,056 cedis as he share of the money taken from the complainant.

DSP Nanegbe said Asamoah who was then on interdiction was arrested by the Kasoa Police.

The accused persons admitted to the Police that they took the money from the complainant.

–
Source: GNA

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The officer’s comment comes after Franklin Cudjoe described the Police’s recent decision to suspend all motor vehicle checks as “absurd”.

“IGP, you may have the power to bend the rules but not all rules Sir. This act of yours if true is banditry, lawless and encourages plunder on our roads.” he noted.

But Chief Superintendent Naa Hamsah Yakubu, told the media on the sidelines of a Police press conference in Accra on Friday that, some organized groups had been unnecessarily criticizing the service for their performance over the years, yet chastise them when they takes steps to ensure quality policing service.

SP Naa Yakubu said “we have over the last few years been leading something they call corruption perception index and every time we are rated first; the most corrupt institution, and the media picks it up, when you monitor closely fingers are pointed at our personnel on the roads.”

He lamented that, “Don’t we have the right as a human institution to also look at our operational methods, to regain our lost image? And you turn around just for political reasons to want to accuse us; then I think you need to observe yourself too.”

He expressed shock the Executive Director of the IMANI Ghana would criticize the Police when they try to improve upon their operations even though he had accused them of performing badly in the past.

“Franklin Cudjoe, I heard him comment about this and I think he needs to observe himself, because if you have always been in the forefront of accusing us as being the lead corrupt institution and we have reassigned ourselves and we are trying to redeem our image and you criticize the Police administration for putting things right, then I think that he is not right himself,” the officer said.

‘Police suspends vehicle checks’

The Police Service in a memo on Monday, October 3, ordered with immediate effect the suspension of all vehicle checks in the country.

It also said personnel are to cease the inspection of driver’s licenses and vehicle documents. Signed by the Commissioner of Police, Ransford Moses Ninson, it directed personnel on highway patrol to limit their work to inspection of cars for drugs and ammunition, only while officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Division (MTTD), are to be deployed only for traffic management duties.

There have been suggestions the decision by the police was politically motivated, but that has been rejected. Several motorists, particularly ‘trotro’ drivers, have often accused police officers on the road of unnecessary harassment for the purposes of extortion.

‘Police investigates leaked memo’

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has launched investigations into the leakage of the internal memo from the Police Administration, that directed the heads of various units under the service on new policing arrangements.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Check yourself’ – Angry Police chief fires Franklin Cudjoe appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.