HANAN, BASH others were NOT Armed Robbers- Report clears ‘ZONGO 7’
An investigative committee put together by government to look into the circumstances that led to the shooting of seven Zongo boys alleged to be armed robbers have submitted a report and has cleared all seven of them of any robbery tag, MyNewsGh.com has learnt.
Police announced in July this year that seven out of the eight suspected robbers, who allegedly attacked a vehicle at Ayirebikrom near Manso Nkwanta on 11th July had been gunned down and were considered dangerous armed robbers.
The eight are accused of killing a Police Officer with the SWAT Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command who was on duty during the attack.
The deceased officer, Lance Corporal Daniel Teiku was on duty with his colleague, Lance Corporal Eric Nsiah when the incident happened.
The two police officers were reportedly overpowered by the masked men and shot alongside other passengers on board.
The officer was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Saint Martin’s Hospital at Agroyesum, while the other officer was treated and discharged.
The police consequently accosted the alleged armed robbers responsible for the shooting and exchanged gun fire with them killing all seven.
But a government investigation into the incident has said the Zongo boys were all innocent.
“According to the report, there were no facts before the committee to establish that the deceased persons were armed robbers who engaged in exchange of fire with the Police.”
STATEMENT ON SHOOTING INCIDENT AT MANSO-NKWANTA IN THE AMANSIE WEST DISTRICT
Following a shooting incident at Manso-Nkwanta within the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region on July 17, 2018 resulting in the death of seven (7) persons, Government established a five (5) Member fact-finding committee to look into the matter.
1) The membership of the fact-finding committee was as follows:
a) Justice Obeng Diawuo – Justice of the High Court
b) Rt. Rev. Prof. Osei-Safo Kantanka – Pastor Methodist Bishop
c) Sheik Ahmed Siedu – Executive Secretary, Office of the Ashanti
Regional Chief Imam
d) Mr. David Adu-Osei – Ashanti Regional BNI Commander
e) Mrs. Emelia Ayebenu Botchway – Ag. Ashanti Regional Coordinating Director
2) The committee has since completed its work and submitted its report to Government.
3) According to the report, there were no facts before the committee to establish that the deceased persons were armed robbers who engaged in exchange of fire with the Police.
4) Government upon a careful study of the report, has decided as follows;
a) the twenty-one (21) police personnel involved in the incident who have been found to be the principal suspects be interdicted by the Police administration and be subjected to formal police criminal investigation into the matter.
b) in the interim, Government in consultation with the families and community leaders will provide support for dependents of the deceased persons.
5) Government assures the general public that due process will be followed in the pursuit of justice and calls for continued calm and patience pending a conclusive determination of the matter.
KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH
Information Minister
Source: MyNewsGh.com
