Seven officers injured in military-police gunfight in Northern region

Seven officers from the Northern Regional Police Command have been injured after a scuffle with their military counterparts on Wednesday.

The officers, who have been treated and discharged from the Police Hospital, were among several police officers who fell prey to the attack launched on them by officers from the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces.

According to the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Adusei Sarpong, one AC2 Eric Danso of the Air Force Unit of GAF had reported to the police CID on Wednesday as part of bail requirement but left the premises unnoticed after he was told he would be arraigned for court.

Eric Danso was pursued by two police officers for re-arrest and could only be arrested few meters away from the Tamale branch of the Bank of Ghana, which coincidentally has a military post.

Noticing that their colleague was being “molested” by police officers, the military men intervened to defend him and in the process injured the two officers.

To the amazement of the police officers, military men in uniform and fully armed arrived at the regional police headquarters and opened fire on officers, who were also left with no option but fire in return.

“I moved to the scene after reports got to me and was able to calm the situation and left to meet members of the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC),” the Northern Regional Police Commander said.

“Few minutes into the meeting in my office, we heard gunshots and it came from some military officers who had actually stormed the Command while their commanders were also here in the meeting.”

Wednesday’s attack brings to three fights between the two security agencies within five months.

Calm has since been restored at the police headquarters.

Meanwhile, 3news.com gathers two military officers also sustained serious injuries during the crossfire and are receiving treatment at the military hospital in the 6BN Barracks.

Background

AC2 Eric Danso was on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 arrested by the police after his driver, Habib Alhassan, reported him to the police for assault.

He was granted bail after a senior colleague who came to the police station with him signed for his bail and has since been reporting as investigation continues.

However, the officer was today told that he would be arraigned before court for assault.

That was when he stormed out of the CID’s office without a word to the investigator.

Instruction was given by the head of the unit to get Eric arrested. He was followed but could only be arrested few meters from the Bank of Ghana.