Military beat police officers at Suame after they arrested a soldier who committed a traffic offense. On Friday, police and military officials battled in Kumasi’s Suame area following the arrest of a military officer for violating traffic regulations.
According to Nhyira News, the incident occurred at 10:40 a.m., when Police MTTD officials apprehended the military officer for riding an unlicensed motorbike near Wesley College (WESCO).
In an attempt to liberate their comrade, some military officers invaded the Suame Divisional Police Headquarters and assaulted police personnel.
The military officer is claimed to have made a phone call while being interrogated, stating that he had been beaten by the arresting authorities.
According to police sources, even though the officer provided a military identity card, it was insufficient to relieve him from custody.
A few seconds later, a group of military officers came to the police station and begged for their colleague’s release.
Two more military troops arrived on the scene and began hitting the police officers while also attempting to rescue the accused from lawful custody.
A police patrol squad came on the scene to transport the suspect, an Ashanti Regional Police staff sergeant, to the Ashanti Regional Police headquarters.
Suame Divisional Police Commander, Superintendent Emmanuel Asiamah, denied to comment and sent the team to the Reg. Police Public Relations Officer. As a result of the military commanders’ actions, tens of thousands of people flocked to the location to see the unfolding drama. Some eyewitnesses claim to have heard gunfire during the subsequent brawl, although this cannot be independently corroborated.
At the time of the news team’s arrival to the Suame Divisional Police Headquarters, tranquility had been restored, however, several people remained at the scene.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, says he is awaiting approval from his superiors to talk on the matter.
Investigation: Military beat police officers at Suame
The Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces have launched investigations into a conflict between officials from the two institutions at the Suame police station in the Ashanti Region.
Officials from both agencies allegedly battled as several troops rushed the Divisional Police Headquarters and beat police officials in an effort to liberate their comrade from detention.
In a joint statement, the security agencies promised that criminals “would be dealt with administratively and in line with the law.”
The incident occurred on Friday, October 29, when police officers from the MTTD apprehended the military commander for riding an unregistered motorbike near Wesley College (WESCO).
The military officer is claimed to have made a phone call while being interrogated, stating that he had been beaten by the arresting authorities.
A few seconds later, a group of military officers came at the police station and begged for their colleague’s release.
Two more military troops arrived on the scene and began hitting the police officers while also attempting to rescue the accused from lawful custody.
A police patrol squad came on the scene to transport the suspect, an Ashanti Regional Police staff sergeant, to the Ashanti Regional Police headquarters.
Within hours after the incident, the police and military stated their determination to get to the bottom of the problem in order to provide closure and improve their ties.
“The two security institutions are dedicated to a peaceful cooperation and will not tolerate any confirmed act of misconduct by employees,” according to the communiqué.
