Police to review protocols at Sogakope Police Station as riffle disappears

Operational and administrative protocols are to be reviewed at the Sogakope Police Station where a police service riffle has mysteriously disappeared.

Two police officers have been arrested and detained in connection with the missing riffle, which the police say, has no connection whatsoever to the murder of the assembly member for Sogakope South electoral area, Marcus Mawutor Adzahli.

“The weapon in question disappeared on March 7, 2020 whereas the unfortunate killing of the assemblyman happened on March 1, 2020. This is only an unfortunate coincidence and the command is resolved to get to the bottom of it,” a statement from the Regional Police Command explained.

The two officers, whose details have not been given, are to be transferred to the Volta Regional Police Command to assist in investigations into the missing riffle case which some police officers initially linked to the murder incident.

The statement said the Sogakope Police Station requires a review of the operational and administrative protocols, something it said the Regional Command is determined to do.

Four arrested for assemblyman murder

Meanwhile, four persons have been arrested in the Volta Region for their alleged complicity in the murder of the Sogakope South Electoral Area assembly member Marcus Mawutor Adzahli.

According to the police, the four suspects are assisting police in investigations into the gruesome murder which triggered violent protests in the Sogakope township.

Details of the suspects have however been withheld by the police.

They are expected to be put before court Monday.

The police is working assiduously in partnership with all relevant stakeholders to arrest anyone involved in the killing of the assemblyman and also calls on the public for support,” the statement signed by Regional Police PRO, Corporal Prince Dogbatse assured.

‘Contract killing’ theory

Marcus was shot multiple times in what some believe to be a contract killing, an incident that sparked violent protests in the town last week. His wife who was assaulted by the unknown assailants was said to have collapsed later.

The attackers were said to have refused to accept 30,000 cedi offer from the victim’s wife in a plea to save his life, insisting money was not the reason for the attack.

They subsequently snatched the money only after they had shot, stabbed and killed Marcus.

The main highway linking the Greater Accra region to parts of Volta region through Sogakope, as well as other major roads, were blocked by some angry protestors who have been demanding justice for the assembly member.

They claimed the police could have averted the incident if they were a little proactive.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings announced 25,000 cedis for anyone who offers information leading to the arrest of the killers of the assemblyman. The Volta Regional Minister also announced 10,000 cedi bounty on the killers.