Jomoro youth demand justice, compensation for victims of police brutality

The youth of Jomoro in the Western Region have vowed to ensure police officers who allegedly brutalized some residents of Ekpu and Half Assini communities are brought to book.

The youth say they will not look on unconcerned for law enforcement officers to infringe on their fundamental human rights. They are thus calling on the Inspector General of Police to as a matter of urgency, sanction officers who embarked on what they termed a barbaric attack on their people earlier in the week.

Secretary to the Jomoro Youth Association, Mark Asmah Arthur, at a news conference at Half Assini Thursday, condemned the vandalisation of the town’s Police Post, which triggered a reprisal from the Police.

According to them, they have done their investigation into the circumstances that led to the arrest, denial of bail and more shockingly, the untimely and bizarre death of a secondhand cloth dealer in police cell, Assuah Buah, which started the collision between the people and the police.

They said they expected the Police to have bowed their heads in shame and instituted appropriate measures to engage the family of the bereaved to resolve the unfortunate incidence but were surprised that was not done.

The youth said they were also surprised that the Police later embarked on “needless, unlawful, unprofessional and unethical” attacked on the people of Ekpu and Half Assinin without any provocation whatsoever.

Pregnant women, the aged, disabled and students were brutalised by the Police in the attack, the youth claimed. They are demanding an investigation into the unwarranted attack.

The youth particularly want to know the person on whose orders the Police officers attacked the people, the officers who carried out the attack and apply the necessary sanctions against those involved, as well as made to pay for the medical expenses of the injured.

They also want the victims of the brutality compensated. They say until justice is done, they would not relent.

Meanwhile, Mary Yankey who is the wife of the deceased, told Takoradi-based Connect FM that he was unhappy about the behaviour of the police over the dead of his late husband Assuah Buah.

She also vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion Secretary to the chief of Ekpu, Nathaniel Yenzu, condemned the act of the Police, noting the community has virtually become a ghost as residents who fled during the invasion of the police are yet to return home.

He also reiterated the call on the IGP to intervene to ensure calm returns to the community. Assemblyman for Half Assini electoral area Peter Miezah said the police should let the whole truth come out for peace to prevail.

He claimed he is being pursued by the police because he condemned their action.