By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Jan 30, GNA – An intelligence-led operation by the Central North Regional Police Command resulted in the arrest of 100 residents of Wurakese, near Assin Fosu in connection with the recent armed attack on a patient at a health centre in the community.
Briefing the media, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abraham Acquaye, the Central North Regional Police Commander, said the arrests followed sustained intelligence gathering which indicated that the attack was a coordinated mob action involving several people in the community.
Acting on the intelligence, he said the police deployed about 85 personnel to conduct a swoop aimed at identifying and isolating those directly and indirectly involved in the incident.
DCOP Acquaye explained that the suspects would undergo a thorough screening process, after which those found culpable would be arraigned before court to face the full rigours of the law.
He said the large arrests was informed by evidence suggesting that some individuals failed to prevent the crime, others aided and abetted the attackers, while some others shielded the suspects without reporting them to the police.
Earlier, the Regional Commander said a community police officer and one Yaw Buabeng, who was earlier a victim of a mob attack and also a suspect in a related matter, was arrested, arraigned before court, and subsequently remanded into police custody.
DCOP Acquaye cautioned the public against failing to rescue people under attack but rather film the incidents alerting the police, stressing that such conduct is unlawful.
He assured that the Police Command will not bow to pressure from politicians, traditional authorities, or any influential people, emphasising that the law will be applied without fear or favour.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Kenneth Odeng Adade