Former President John Dramani Mahama has requested President Akufo-Addo to initiate an instant de-escalation of the current situation at Ejura in the Ashanti Region.
According to him, an investigation must be carried out to ascertain the deaths of persons involved in the protest.
His comments follow the murder of social activist, who was attacked by two unknown assailants in front of his residence over the weekend.
Following this, a protest held by the youth in the community led to the death of two residents and four others injured during a clash between the military and angry protestors on Tuesday, June 29.
“I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today, following the murder of youth activist Ibrahim ‘Kaaka’ Mohammed. I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire, after the burial of the murdered youth activist.
“I urgently call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to initiate an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Ejura.
“There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others.”
Former President Mahama has urged for calm while demanding thorough investigations into the death of Kaaka and the other two victims; Abdul Nasir Yussif, 25, and Muntala Mohammed, 26.
Mr Mahama further expressed his commiseration with the bereaved families and township.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Ejura community”.
Ejura MP discounts narration of Police
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyeredumase, Braimah Mohammed has discounted claims by the police that the youth of the area attacked the security agencies during their protest to demand justice for dead activist Kaaka Mohammed.
The Ejura legislator noted that the information he had showed the security agencies rather fired directly at the youth.
“This is falsehood, a complete falsehood. You [police] have been trained to control the crowd, so I don’t believe them. I have a picture here of a soldier firing into the crowd. If you are going to fire to disperse the crowd you will fire into the air.
“Look at the soldier, look at his position, he just squatted, and aimed into the crowd and fired, not only one bullet, he fired several rounds of ammunition. That is how come about four people are lying in the hospital right now, they acted unprofessionally”.
In the statement issued by the police, it revealed that the youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road impeding traffic.
“The Police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.
“The security officials fired shots to disperse the angry mob who failed to retreat but rather massed up at all corners. The death and injuries were recorded in the process”.
That notwithstanding, Mr Mohammed insists that shooting at protesters was not the best alternative even if the protestors were wrong for pelting security personnel.
“What are the water cannons, that we use our taxpayer’s money to buy, doing? What are they doing?
Mr Braimah called out the police to admit their actions were unprofessional and resolve to do better next time.
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