The Inspector General of Police has directed investigations into violence that occurred and some masked uniformed men who showed up at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections today.
This was revealed by Director-General of Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service ACP David Eklu in an interview with a Kumasi-based radio station.
He says the Police did not deploy personnel beyond what they usually deploy during such by-elections, and explained that there were only two Police personnel to each Polling station.
He says the Police hierarchy has no knowledge of the origin of some masked armed men dressed in Police uniforms who showed up riding in what appeared to be Police vehicles.
“We the Police don’t wear masks. They were not deployed by the Police. IGP has directed investigations into that to find out where they came from. We are also shocked they came in vehicles that looked like Police vehicles” he explained.
When asked why the real Policemen could not arrest the “imposters”, ACP Eklu explained that the two policemen at the polling station were not armed and hence could not confront the men who were fully armed.
He says the Police have received some complaints also from the leadership of the opposition NDC which will be considered during the investigations.
Meanwhile, the opposition NDC has pulled out of the ongoing Ayawaso by-elections.
The National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo says the party has withdrawn from the elections for security reasons.
“Armed security men besieged our candidate ’s home and we can no longer guarantee the security of our people and our polling agents,” he said.
“We have conferred with our candidate, Delali Kwesi Brempong and he is traumatized by the incident. We also do not believe a single life should be lost in this by-election so we have withdrawn from the process,“.
Just hours into the by-election, some armed men clothed in National Security apparel stormed the La Bawalashie Presby polling station. Eyewitnesses say the armed men fired shots and attacked some agents believed to be opposition NDC agents.
The shots lasted 20 minutes. Police intervened as the attacks continued.
The men according to eyewitnesses also stormed the home of the NDC candidate, Delali Kwesi Brempong.
Chairman of the NDC revealed that at least six people have been critically injured and have been sent to Legon Hospital. Others have been sent to 37 Military Hospital.
MP for Prampram, Sam Dzata George has also confirmed that he was assaulted by several members of the NPP’s Invincible Forces. He says they were wearing NSC shirts as well.
What do you think about this piece? Share your comment in the comment thread and share the story using the social media buttons above. You may reach the editor on 0249579664. Thank you.