The Chiefs and opinion leaders of Ofoase in Akyemansa District of the Eastern Region are angry over the failure of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the killing of a resident by the local police.
Thirty-six (36) year-old Emmanuel Osae was gunned down by a police officer Friday, April 30, 2021, at Brenase a suburb of the Ofoase community.
Three other residents also sustained serious gunshot wounds.
The incident triggered tension which was de-escalated by the intervention of the Chiefs and other opinion leaders.
The incident occurred when a teacher from Brenase rode on his motorbike to the Ofoase community, but, while the motorbike was parked, another motor rider rammed into his motorbike which caused a misunderstanding. The culprit allegedly assaulted the Teacher identified as Zark
Two young men from the Brenase community appeared at the scene and seized the culprits’ motorbike and drove to Brenase that unless he repairs the motorbike of the teacher, his motorbike will not be released to him.
The motor rider reported the incident to the local Police.
The police quickly chased the two young men and violently arrested one, but the Brenase youth resisted the arrest of the second person forcing the Police to retreat but returned with reinforcement amidst sporadic gunshots aimed at the angry residents.
An eyewitness said “We were standing outside when we saw the armed police in the vehicle pass to Kotokuom area, but all that we saw was that the police stopped and attempted to arrest a certain guy but the person escaped. So his brother wanted to enquire from the Police why they have stormed the community to arrest his brother. Suddenly, a Police officer called Safo fired a warning shot which upset the guy to insult the Police. A guy from a farm holding cutlass coincidentally appeared at the scene. The Police aimed at him and shot him, then shot the guy who questioned them, and shot another person who was passing”
Assembly Member for Brenase electoral Area, Mathew Kwadwo Adagba told Starr News Wednesday, June 30, 2021, that, a delegation from the community had visited Police Intelligence and Professional Standard Bureau (PIPS) three times demanding an investigation into the misconduct of the police officers but nothing has been done.
He said the situation is creating unnecessary tension in the community hence the meeting today by the chiefs and opinion leaders who resolved to petition the Inspector General of Police to intervene.
He said due to the failure of the Police to conduct an investigation, the body has not been released to the family for burial escalating tension in the community.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
