Investigate police killing of alleged robbers - FOSDA

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) Ghana, a civil society organisation, has called for an independent investigation into the police killing of alleged seven robbers.

A statement issued by FOSDA and copied to the Ghana News Agency, expressed shock at reports that the police had shot and killed a total of seven suspected armed robbers at Poano near Anhwiakwanta on the Kumasi-Obuasi road in the Ashanti Region.

According to the Foundation it was quite unusual for the police to kill all seven suspects, hence the public outcry against the incident.

It said though the Police might justify their action, as explained by the Ashanti Regional Commander, Police (DCOP) Akwasi Mensah Duku confirmed at a press conference in Kumasi, the incident had a very high potential to cause unrest and other security challenges, especially in the affected areas.

“The FOSDA was therefore, calling for an immediate independent investigation into the incident to restore the credibility of the police.”

It said the press conference was not enough to curtail the suspicions of a foul play by the police, and that, FOSDA was worried that if immediate steps were not taken to bring out the truth, persons including the youth from the affected areas might continue to pose a security threat to the nation.

"We therefore urge the IGP and the Police for a swift action to bring the matter to rest and enhance peace in the area," it said.

"The Foundation is also urging the youth from the affected areas, the families concerned and all affected persons to be patient and wait for investigations and the truth of what actually transpired." it added.