IGP runs to Kumasi over Asawase shootings

THE INSPECTOR General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohunu, rushed to the Kumasi on Saturday in the company of top police officers from Accra.

The hurriedly arranged visit was in connection with the recent shootings in Asawase, where two people, including a Kusasi Chief, have been fatally shot dead.

The IGP,  in a speech read on his behalf, said the shootings in Asawase, notably the loss of lives, was a worry to the president and the entire security forces.

In this regard, he explained that he decided to visit the Ashanti Regional capital to personally assess the security situation in order to take the necessary steps.

According to him, those behind the shootings would definitely be apprehended by the security agencies to face the law so the citizenry should not be afraid.

Before IGP’s visit, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (REGSEC) had imposed ban on the riding of motorcycles after 7pm in the Ashanti Region.

But the IGP, who had a different opinion, said the police should not target motorbikes alone in their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators to face the law.

According to him, those behind the shootings can operate with vehicle and tricycles so the security forces should widen their scope and be alert always.

“They can use tricycles and vehicles to commit crime so you should not focus on motorbikes alone”, the IGP Tetteh Yohunu admonished the policemen on duty.

He said the for the fact the Kusasi chief was shot dead in the evening and another person was killed in the afternoon, is a sign that the police should be alert.

According to him, the police have decided to use dialoague and reinforcement to deal with the shootings at Asawase to help restore law and order very soon.

“We have been in talks with key Zongo and Muslim leaders in Accra and Tema and I’m urging the Ashanti Regional Police Commander to do same here”, he said.

The IGP also said the police has started to target hot spots in an attempt to apprehend perpetrators from their hideouts in order to stop the shootings.