President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has instructed the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, to conduct a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences in Ejura, in the Ashanti region, on Tuesday.
The unfortunate occurrences claimed the lives of three persons and led to three persons sustaining various degrees of injury, following a youth protest.
The youth protest took place after Ibrahim Mohammed, a resident of Ejura, was attacked by unknown persons last Friday, and subsequently died on Monday.
What was intended to be a peaceful demonstration, following the burial of Kaaka’s mortal remains, turned violent as some of the aggrieved youth decided to vent their spleen on anything on sight.
In the ensuing mayhem, military/police combined team detailed to maintain order reportedly shot to disperse the crowd, resulting in the death of the three.
Four other persons who sustained gunshot wounds are currently on admission at the hospital.
According to a statement signed by Eugene Arhin, acting Director of Communications at the Office of the President, the Interior Minister is to provide “a detailed report from the inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action,” within 10 days, to the President.
“The President is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias ‘Kaaka’, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed. He extends sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement said.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, the government has described the incidents of violence at Ejura as unfortunate and uncalled for.
Addressing journalists in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Information condemned the act of violence, and called on the security agencies to swiftly carry investigations into the matter.
“Our security agencies should be quick and clinical in getting to the bottom of this and other unresolved ones. While we understand that police investigations sometimes take a while, it does not instil confidence in the population if such acts go unresolved and unpunished. So, the police need to get to the bottom of this, and justice must be done.
“A credible investigation also needs to be conducted into the crowd rioting and crowd control incidents of 29th June. This will bring clarity to the sequence of events and ensure that if any persons acted inappropriately, those persons are punished,” he added.
Incident
Saaka, 45, was reportedly attacked by some unknown people in Ejura last Friday. He died on Monday afternoon, June 28, 2021 at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, checks with the Regional Police Command indicate that two suspects have since been picked up by the police in connection with the death of Saaka.
The Minister appealed for calm, as the security agencies work to bring perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.
Call for calm
In a related development, the chief of Ejura, Barima Osei Hwedie II, has appealed to the youth in the area to remain calm in the area.
“It is unfortunate we have lost two precious lives; however, it is incumbent on our youth to exercise restraint,” the chief told the media at Ejura.
Barima Osei Hwedie called on the National Security Council to commission thorough investigations into the issue.
“We are demanding that justice be served in this issue,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has beefed up security in the town to restore calm and order.
