Gang of 7 : Security tightened in Kumasi

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has increased security in the region, especially at flashpoints where protests were held in the wake of the murder of seven suspected armed robbers by the police.

“We have increased security in the region, not only in some few areas but the whole region,” Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah said on Friday, 20 July 2018.

According to him, “Asawase and the Zongo areas in the region will have more security personnel”, as they hold a security meeting to determine the next line of action.

The minister said a committee will be formed after the meeting to determine the way forward.

Some irate zongo youth of Asawase, on Thursday, 19 July 2018, torched the Asawase police station in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region over the shooting and killing of the seven.

The station was set on fire by over 50 young men around 11:30 am while police officers were busily working in their offices.

The officers and complainants at the station had to run for their lives after they saw a thick smoke billowing through the windows of the station.

The officers had to fire a warning shot to disperse the youth. Some artisans who work near the station were said to have intervened to quench the fire with sachet water bags since there was no fire extinguisher in the station.

The youth were said to have poured a gallon of petrol on the floor of the police station and set it ablaze with a lighter.

A net on the station's window and a tricycle packed near the station had some burns. A joint police and military team was deployed to the station to protect and maintain order. The rampaging youth also burnt car tyres and blocked some roads with cement blocks.

Roads which were blocked include Amakom to Central mosque, Denkyem to Central mosque, Sawaba to central mosque, and central mosque to Aboabo station.

The youth say the seven deceased persons were not criminals as the police have alleged.

Speaking on this matter on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM Friday, 20 July, Mr Osei-Mensah told Chief Jerry Forson that: “It is unfortunate that this is happening and the REGSEC will be holding a meeting on this development today.”

“Certainly, a committee will be formed to look into the matter but there will be no police representation on the committee. The youth have problems with the police, and, so, you add the police to the committee and even if they bring a report that captures the true reflection of the picture, it won’t be accepted by all the parties,” he added.