Management of West Hills Mall has confirmed that the incident which resulted in the death of Shadrach Arloo last Monday, happened at their premises at Weija in Accra.
However, according to the management, eyewitness account including that of its security personnel indicate that, Mr. Shadrach Arloo resisted an arrest by a police officer who suspected Shadrach was in possession of drugs or banned substances.
A statement issued by Olympio Agbodza, the Assistant Asset Manager of West Hills Mall alleged that, Shadrach Arloo, removed something from his bag and swallowed it as the policeman approached him. ”And this was according to what eyewitnesses told the management,” the statement noted.
Confirming that the incident happened at their premises on Monday January 30, 2023 at 3:15 pm, management made known that Shadrach Arloo, who was a ‘visitor’ at the premises was confronted by a Police Officer and asked to present his bag for examination.
“West Hills Mall’s 24-hour security surveillance system captured footage of the officer apprehending the young man, as well as another man who accompanied him, as they headed for the main entrance of the mall.
“In an attempt to handcuff the young man, a struggle between the parties ensued while the Police Officer tried to handcuff him. He was eventually handcuffed but stopped struggling and appeared unwell after that. The Police subsequently removed the cuffs from his hands, and Mall Security arranged for transportation for him to be taken to the medical facility on-site. Sadly, he was pronounced dead by Medics upon arrival.”
West Hills Mall
“The Weija District Police have since retrieved the body of the deceased”, the West Hills Mall management added.
No response to tasing allegation
It is alleged that Shadrach was beaten and tased but the West Hills statement was silent on that allegation. It was also alleged that the security at the mall applied the taser and that allegation too was not responded to in the press statement.
Shadrach Arloo was scheduled to travel to Germany on Tuesday, January 31, but 24-hours before that journey, he had an encounter with the policeman and private security personnel that resulted in his death.
Shadrack’s sister, Perpetual Didier, who is a gospel musician, revealed that, an eyewitness told the family Shadrach was tased. She claimed Shadrach had gone to the mall for shopping and that he was there to buy some items he was expected to carry along to Germany for his elder sister , this sister had facilitated his documentation and travel.
Meanwhile, the police in a press statement issued Tuesday January 31, 2023, disclosed that the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) has commenced an investigation into the allegation and has contacted Perpetual Didier to assist with the investigation. “We would like to assure the public of a thorough investigation into the matter,” a statement signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Victor K. Dosoo for the Director of Police Public Affairs said.
It said the police’s attention was drawn to the video of Perpetual Didier on social media in which she alleged that a police officer has caused the death of her brother.
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