Policeman mistakenly shoots colleague

Nkawkaw, May 3, GNA - Lance Corporal Kwame Appau, of the Nkawkaw Divisional Police, on Monday accidentally shot his colleague, Lance Corporal Collins Owusu, a driver, in the knee. The victim was said to have gone to the aid of Lance Corporal Appau when he fell from a Police vehicle at Nkawkaw. They were both rushed to the Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital but Lance Corporal Owusu whose condition was critical had been referred to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. The Nkawkaw Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Fredrick Asare, confirmed the story to GNA at Nkawkwa on Wednesday.

He said that the incident occurred when 10 suspected armed robbers in handcuffs were being conveyed in a pick-up vehicle from Nkawkaw Police cell for an identification parade at the Divisional headquarters.

ACP Asare explained that Lance Corporal Appau, who was escorting the suspects, was standing behind the pick-up with an AK-47 raffle. According to the Divisional Police Commander, Lance Corporal Appau suddenly fell from the vehicle when Lance Corporal Owusu, was negotiating a curve.

ACP Asare said Lance Corporal Owusu went to the aid of his colleague and Lance Corporal Appau mistakenly took Lance Corporal Owusu for one of the suspects, who attempted to escape and shot him in the knee.