Accra, Feb. 16, GNA – Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has urged the Northern Regional Security Council and the Police Command to take a firm action to stem what he described as “police brutality” in their area.
His comments came following a riotous protest by youth of Lamashegu in Tamale against an alleged indiscriminate shooting by a Police Officer which led to the death of one and injuring of several others.
Presenting a statement on the floor of Parliament, on Tuesday, Mr Iddrisu, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North expressed regret about the incident.
“Mr Speaker, the Police are too quick to use excessive force. The number of Police brutalities has increased over the years. We are concerned about the rising cases and if it is not checked, it may lead to civil unrest.
“We have had enough of the unjustified violence on the citizens of Tamale. We call on the Police Command to accept full responsibility for the unprofessional conduct of their officers who shot live ammunition in Lamashegu, and identify the principal actors and deal with them by the law,” he said.
Police and residents on Sunday afternoon clashed after officers allegedly shot a 24-year-old man after a driver with an unlicensed vehicle refused to stop when the Police ordered him to, but rather drove to the Lamashegu Chief’s Palace when he was chased by the Police and that resulted in sporadic shooting, which led to the killing of the passerby.
The incident resulted in the burning of car tyres and wood on some major highways by the youth in Tamale.
Some agitated residents also hurled stones at the police patrol team that was at the scene to restore calm.
Contributing to the statement, Mr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the MP for Tamale Central, called for the commencement of investigations into the case and perpetrators brought to book.
He also called on the Interior Minister to update the house on the state of previous acts as brutalities in the country was getting out of hand.
Mr Sayibu Suhuyini Alhassan, MP for Tamale North, called on the government to review the approach that was often used in such cases.
“Mr Speaker, what the citizens need is that people are held responsible and punished for the wrong deeds that they commit. The compensations and the high-powered delegation visits are not enough to appease anybody,” he said.
On his part, Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, appealed to the House to commiserate with the people of Lamashegu in kind and cash.
He also called on the Police to work ensure sanity in the Service, which would go a long way to protect the peace of the citizenry.
So far, six Police Officers have been interdicted over the issue.
GNA