Former President John Mahama expressed deep sadness upon hearing about the tragic deaths of three individuals in Bawku. The incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions, following reports from the Ghana Armed Forces detailing a lethal encounter between their troops and the deceased men.
According to the Armed Forces, the fatal altercation culminated in the demise of three individuals, while one other managed to evade capture.
Related To This: We Must Seek Politically Neutral Solutions for Peace in Bawku - Kwesi Aning
Taking to Facebook, the former President acknowledged the formidable task faced by the military in their tireless efforts to maintain peace in Bawku. Nonetheless, he stressed the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that "the military must work hand in hand with the police to provide safety and security in the Bawku municipality and across the nation." Drawing on his experience as a former Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Mahama called on military personnel to uphold their duty to safeguard the people and uphold peace.
Furthermore, Mahama urged the residents of Bawku to actively contribute to the promotion and reinforcement of peace in order to facilitate the positive development of the municipality.
His remarks were made in the wake of the Ghana Armed Forces' rejection of claims made by Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, who contended that innocent individuals had been unjustly shot and killed by the military.
Ayariga, during an appearance on Newsfile, asserted that eyewitnesses had confirmed that the victims were not engaged in any hostile activities at the time of the incident. He claimed, "These boys were not exchanging fire with anybody; they were actually apprehended. They were sitting [when the soldiers approached]; one ran away, but the others were sitting because they had done nothing wrong."
Contradictorily, the Ghana Armed Forces released a statement acknowledging that their officers had indeed fired upon and fatally injured three men. However, they maintained that the action was taken in self-defence, citing the recovery of an AK-47 rifle loaded with ammunition from the scene. They also emphasized that the Ghana Police had arrived subsequently to transfer the deceased individuals to the morgue, while the weapon in question remained in their possession.
In their statement, the Ghana Armed Forces cautioned against engaging their personnel in armed conflict, emphasizing the potential for dire repercussions. They underscored their unwavering commitment to defending themselves while also protecting the residents of Bawku.
Comments
Post a Comment