IGP David Asante-Apeatu
The Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu, has directed the Tema Regional Police Commander to take immediate action against persons who caused trouble during the election of the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ada East.
The directives come on the heel of commotion that characterised the confirmation of the president’s nominee for DCE in the area, which according the IGP breached the peace of the area.
The IGP, in a press statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) David Eklu, Director-General, Police Public Affairs, also directed the Regional Commander to expedite action on assault cases filed by some 17 assembly members of Ada East at the Ada Foa Police Station.
Some members of the Invisible Forces have been accused of allegedly assaulting some assembly members of the Ada East District in the Greater Accra Region.
The incident occurred during the polls to endorse President Akufo Addo’s nominee for DCE, Sarah Dugbakie Pobee.
The thugs allegedly snatched ballot boxes moments after voting ended.
The Presiding Member, Aka Simon Kobla, said he was physically assaulted by the thugs in the presence of a deputy minister and district police commander and dragged out of the hall.
The action of the group has been widely condemned by many people in the country in recent times.
The IGP’s directive, according to the statement, follow the review of reports by the Tema Regional Police Commander, statements by a member of Council of State, Nii Kotei Dzani, who described the attack as “cowardly,” as well as TV3’s coverage of the incident.
“The commander is expected to submit daily report on the progress of police actions taken,” the statement indicated.
The police are also appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to report directly to the Tema Regional Police Commander at the Tema Police Headquarters.
The IGP directed the Police Commander to bring the perpetrators to book.
Recently, the police administration expressed its readiness to combat political vigilantism and all forms of lawlessness in the country.
According to the police, “Victimization should not be an excuse in dealing with youth hooliganism and vigilantism.”
By Gibril Abdul Razak