The Police administration and the Ghana Armed Forces have set up a four-member committee to investigate the alleged assault of some police officers at the Suame Police Station by soldiers on Friday, October 29, 2021.
Contained in a joint press statement issued by the two security agencies, the committee has two members from the Ghana Police Service and two from the Ghana Armed Forces.
They are “ACP Benjamin Osei Addai and ASP Ernest Kwofie of the Ghana Police Service and Colonel Jonathan Kumador and Lt. Col David Addo of the Ghana Armed Forces”.
“Reference to our press release in respect of the alleged attack on Suame Police Station by some military personnel, a four-member committee has been established to investigate the matter”.
Police and GAF statement
The committee has been tasked to commence its work on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. They have however been given a one week ultimatum to submit their report from the day of commencement to assist the institutions involved to take the appropriate actions.
It explained that it will equally “enable the police administration and the Military High Command to determine the next line of action”.
The press statement revealed that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the case and anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly.
“We wish to once again assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted and anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to law and in line with the disciplinary procedures of the two institutions.”
Police and GAF statement
Reported clashes between police and military
On October 29, 2021, officials from the military and police reportedly clashed as some soldiers stormed the Divisional Police Headquarters and assaulted police officers in an attempt to free their colleague from custody.
The incident occurred after Police MTTD officers arrested the military officer for riding an unregistered motorcycle at a spot near Wesley College (WESCO).
On being interrogated, the military officer is alleged to have made a phone call, claiming he had been assaulted by the arresting officers. Following this, a team of military officers arrived at the police station and pleaded for the release of their colleague.
Soon after, other military officers were spotted on the scene and started beating the police officers in an attempt to free the accused from lawful custody.
The suspect was then transferred from the Suame Police Command to the Regional Police Headquarters.
The police and military subsequently issued a joint statement articulating their intention to get to the bottom of the matter to bring closure and improve their relations. The two security agencies assured the general public a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter.
“Anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to law and in line with the disciplinary procedures of the two institutions”.
Police statement
In 2010, tensions flared between soldiers and police officers in Kumasi, when separate assaults carried out by soldiers within two days left 12 police personnel injured and police property destroyed.
The attacks began after a police officer attempted to arrest a soldier riding an unlicensed motorcycle. Following this, the soldier threatened to return with reinforcements and attack the police officer and made good on the threat later that day.
In subsequent days, a lot more police officers across the city were assaulted by soldiers. In response, members of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service in Kumasi stayed home for days, refusing to work in the dangerous environment.
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