One person has been confirmed dead whilst nine persons, including three in critical condition, are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region.
This follows a clash between rampaging youth and the police at Nkoranza in the Bono East region over the murder of 28-year-old, Albert Donkor.
The angry youth reacted after a press statement released by the Ghana Police Service, Tuesday concerning the death of the suspect.
The youth in the farming community attacked the Municipal Police Headquarters and freed at least six suspects in custody.
They burnt car tyres on the streets of Nkoranza to register their displeasure until security reinforcement from Techiman.
The Police Professional Standards Bureau says it has begun investigations into the mysterious death of the suspect who is also a trader.
The Ghana Police Service indicated in a statement that the Inspector General Police (IGP) has spoken to the family of the deceased on the phone and “has constituted a high-powered delegation led by COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Director-General/Administration to visit Nkoranza on Wednesday for further engagement with all stakeholders.”
It thus entreated the public to refrain from making statements that could prejudice the outcome of the investigation.
The death of Donkor who was picked up by the police following a robbery incident on the Nkoranza-Kintampo road outraged residents of Nkoranza.
They believe Albert may have been targeted after chancing on a robbery scene involving some police officers.
In their version of events leading to Donkor’s death, the Police said in a portion of a statement that “in the Bono East Region, police gathered intelligence that a suspect, Albert Donkor, and a gang of five other suspected armed robbers, whose names are being withheld for investigation purposes, were involved in several armed robbery attacks in the region, including armed robbery attacks at Nkoranza on April 19 and 20, 2022.
“Based on this intelligence, an operation was conducted during which suspect Albert Donkor was shot. He was rushed to the Holy Family Hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.”
It said Albert’s arrest was part of a holistic strategy since August 2021 to nip armed robbery in the bud.
“These special anti-robbery task forces have conducted a series of intelligence-led operations which have contributed immensely to the reduction of armed robbery incidents in the affected areas. The investigation will establish whether the operation was carried out in line with the standard operating procedures of the Service.”
Meanwhile, Albert’s family has filed a case at the Accra High Court seeking justice for their relative.
They are hopeful that the court’s intervention will allow for thorough investigations into his death.
