A viral video on social media generated public debate on Saturday April 1, over the source of the video and whether it is a new video.
Checks revealed that the incident occurred on march 9, 2023, within the Axim divisional command.
Members of the Axim Divisional Police patrol team were reported to be those attacked by a gang that seized the magazine of a Service rifle together with handcuff and some mobile phones belonging to the Police officers.
An intelligence operation was immediately launched to get the suspects arrested.
On March 28, 2023 after about three weeks of the intelligence operation, four men, Kojo Siah alias Mozey, Emmanuel Mensah alias Kofi Asamoah, Maxwell Cudjoe and Agyabu Haruna Dissawu were arrested for their suspected involvement in the attack.
A search conducted at the residence of Kwame Ato Asare Ani, the prime suspect, who is still on the run, led to the retrieval of three pump-action shotguns.
Additionally one pump-action shotgun, two machetes and eight BB cartridges were retrieved from the suspect’s unregistered Honda CRV vehicle.
Other items retrieved from the suspects include two live refilled BB cartridges and one unregistered motorbike.
On Saturday April 1, 2023, while investigation was still ongoing to get the remaining suspects arrested, the attention of the Police was drawn to a video footage in which the said Police personnel, who are members of the Axim Patrol team, were shown pleading with members of the gang members who were alleging extortion by the police officers.
The allegation of extortion against the officers has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSP) for investigation.
All the arrested suspects in the reported attack on the patrol team have been been remanded in custody following their appearace in court.
Efforts are continuing to get the remaining suspects arrested.
By Peter Quao Adattor
