IGP James Oppong-Boanuh
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, has issued a stern warning to the public, especially Zongo youth, to desist from always attacking police officers physically whenever there is a misunderstanding.
He issued the warning at Yeji in the Pru East District in the Bono East Region where some Muslim youths went on the rampage over a dead body last week.
Last Wednesday, some angry Muslim youths at Yeji attacked a private hospital, St. Mathias, and demanded the release of the body of a man called Yusif, who was allegedly killed by armed robbers.
Yusif, who was in his provisions shop, was reportedly shot to death by an unidentified robber who robbed the place and escaped. His body was subsequently deposited at the private hospital by the police to enable them to conduct investigation.
However, the irate youth claimed the police refused to hand the body to them for Islamic burial, for which reason they started causing trouble in the town. They claimed that the police demanded GH¢3,000 from the family of the deceased before they would release the body for burial.
Having visited the town, the IGP held a meeting with the chiefs and people of Yeji and the Zongo community. Although the discussion with the Zongo chiefs was held behind closed door, DAILY GUIDE gathered that it bordered on the attack on the police station and the private hospital.
The IGP told them it was not right for them to take the law into their own hands and cause mayhem. He also promised the chiefs and people that he would deploy more police officers to Pru East to fight highway robbery on the Kwame Danso-Atebubu road due to the bad nature of the road.
Mr. Oppong-Boanuh also assured the people that the Pru East Police District Command would be upgraded to a divisional status to allow more men to come to the area to fight crime.
He called on the residents to volunteer information to the police as regards the identity of criminals.
The Paramount Chief of Yeji Traditional Area, Pimampim Yaw Kagbrese V, who also is the President of Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, commended the IGP for the visit.
danielyaodayee@yahoo.com
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Yeji