Krofrom clashes: Army could be called in - Kofi Boakye

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye, has served notice that his outfit will not "countenance any acts of unruliness" neither will he think twice about using "every force" at their disposal to quell the chaotic scenes that reared its ugly head at Krofrom in the Ashanti Region Tuesday.

According to him, though they are “saddened by the unfortunate death” of Osei Kwadwo Tawiah, any form of mayhem perpetuated by residents in the ares will be tackled head-on by the police.

Angry residents of Krofrom went on the rampage this morning cursing the police for scheming to absolve from blame three officers accused of killing a year old man, Kwadwo Tawiah.

In what they believe was a clear case of man-slaughter, the residents rubbished an autopsy report conducted by pathologists at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital which suggests the deceased died of heart failure; accusing the police of scheming with the medical team.

Tawiah died on Friday after some policemen who were said to be chasing suspected armed robbers on a motorbike pounced on him and mistook him to be one of them (armed robbers).

Eyewitnesses said Tawiah had left his bag behind a house and went to the public toilet only to be arrested by the police team.

The police were said to have handcuffed and beaten him up while his family members looked on since his house was close to where the incident happened.

He was said to have been pushed to the ground and crashed his head.

All this was said to have happened within 30 minutes.

Confusion ensued in the area after the incident as protestors burned tyres, smashed bottles on the streets and brandished cutlasses and other weapons and threatened to revenge the death of their brother and colleague.

To calm matters, the Ashanti Regional Police Command caused the arrest of the three officers pending the outcome of investigations and the autopsy report; which exonerated them (police officers).

Angered by the contents of the report, some irate Krofrom youth blocked the main street which links the Suame roundabout to the Airport roundabout, burnt tyres in the streets and chased police officers detailed to maintain law and order in the area.

Speaking to PeaceFM News @ Midday, an incensed Kofi Boakye, who empathized with the bereaved family, warned residents off the streets of Krofrom.

“We are saddened by the unfortunate death of the young man. But some unscrupulous people are hiding behind this unfortunate incident to cause mayhem…this turn of events needs to condemn in no uncertain terms. I’m told there is a vehicle going round within the township urging the youth to take up arms and hit the streets…I’m using this opportunity to caution them to tread carefully. Every parent should warn their wards off the streets,” he said.

Whiles accusing some residents of Suame and Aboabo, two suburbs in Kumasi, as behind Tuesday’s chaotic scenes, he revealed that even two members of the deceased’s family were present when the autopsy was being conduct, and wondered why anyone will take up arms while the officers accused of the crime are still languishing in police cells.

“If they are unconvinced by the autopsy report, they can commission another pathologist to conduct one…what is this burning of tyres stuff in the middle of the road?…the police won’t allow such illegal action. They (youth) are being instigated to do what they are doing…I’ve spoken to them in private; some of the youth (in the area), the assemblyman, the police will use every force at our disposal to crush this (riot). Nobody needs to lose his or her life as a result of this. We are still in talks with the deceased’s family members…two of them were even present during the conduct of the conduct….i hear some young guys from Suame, Aboabo and other areas are those involved…we know them.

Commander One, as he is affectionately called, warned that if the police fail to drive the youth off the streets, they will not hesitate to call on the military for assistance.

“….we (police) dare them to go there this afternoon and try what they did earlier in the day again…when an issue comes up, dialogue is always the best means to address it…let not these youth be misled by anybody. I am a Krofrom boy so I’m cautioning them not to listen to those inciting them to riot, the police will descend on them with brutish force. If we fail to achieve the desired results, we will call in the army," he fumed.