Ex-soldier kills himself over wife's alleged infidelity

Accra, Oct. 9, GNA - A 65-year-old ex-soldier on Sunday shot himself in a security booth at Osu in Accra after he allegedly found out that his wife was flirting.

Nicolas Asiamah, who was a security man at I-Tel Limited, a telecommunications company at Osu, was found dead after he shot himself with a registered pump action gun given to him by his employers. A colleague, who was to relieve him, met him in a pool of blood with his gun lying between his legs.

A note registering his displeasure over his wife's alleged infidelity was found on him. The note also had details of two witnesses, who had knowledge of the woman's conduct and the telephone number of his rival.

The note said he was taking his life because the conduct of his wife and rival had brought an "unbearable disgrace" to his family. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) James Annor, Osu District Commander, told the GNA that at about 1900 hours on Sunday, a colleague of the deceased, whose name is being withheld, reported Asiamah's death at the Police Station.

According to ASP Annor, the man alleged that he was assigned to relieve his colleague but found him dead in the security booth. ASP Annor said Police personnel detailed to the scene found the pump action gun between his legs with wounds on his chest. He said the registered gun loaded with five rounds of cartridge and one empty shell were found.

ASP Annor said Police had since conveyed the body to the mortuary at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital awaiting autopsy.

The Police have commenced investigations into the tragedy. Meanwhile Mr Francis Gharbin, General Manager of I-TEL, described the incident as strange.

He said Mr Asiamah was very hard working and he had not heard him complaining about anything. He said last Friday the deceased introduced his sister to him.

The General Manager said Asiamah often left for Larteh to visit his wife and children.

Mr Gharbin said he was out of town when he had a call from Accra that one his security men had shot himself so he asked his colleagues to assist.