Immigration Officers Assaulted Over Ban On Drumming

DSP Efia Tenge – Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer

An Immigration Officer is said to be in critical condition while three others were inflicted with cutlass wounds by some group of men believed to be Asafo members of Ngleshie Amanfrom in the Greater Accra Region who claimed they were enforcing a ban on drumming and noise makeing.

The Immigration officers whose identities have been withheld, were said to be part of mourners who were at the one week observance of a late Senior Inspector Gideon Doh at the Kasoa Iron City Immigration Barracks.

Sources said the men in an attempt to confiscate musical instruments that were being used at the funeral grounds, the Immigration Officers reportedly prevented them, leading to the bloody clash with the supposed invading group.

A witness identified as Esi Adjeiwaa claimed the Asafo men who were about twenty arrived at the funeral grounds in several vehicles.

She said the Immigration Officers were accused by the Asafo group for failing to adhere to the ban on drumming and noise making which is part of the Ga customs and traditions.

“They also claimed Iron City falls within the Greater Accra Region and therefore would not allow anyone to make noise in the area,” Adjeiwaa narrated.

The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer told Daily Guide that the incident occurred on May 13, 2021 around 2:50pm.

She said one lnspector Kwaku Obeng of Ghana Immigration Service assisted by Millennium City Police Patrol Team arrested three persons suspected to be part of the gang that launched initial attack on the officers at the funeral.

The arrested persons including Andylove Adjei Oshippi, Asafoatse Kenyo Razak and Nii Doodoo Bridgate, had multiple of injuries on their bodies and were released on bail to seek medical attention and report later for investigations.

She said information received from the Amanfrom Police indicated that around 2:30pm that same day, a mob including the suspects went back again and attacked immigration rented quarters at Iron City, Amanfro where they were organizing the funeral service for a senior colleague.

“The suspects caused damage to the Immigration Officers sound system, other instruments and also assaulted them in the process.”

DSP Tenge said efforts were being made to get the others arrested.

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey

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