Soldiers allegedly assault taxi drivers in Takoradi, remove car batteries, keys

Some military personnel have allegedly assaulted some taxi drivers and removed their car batteries at the Effiakuma Number 9 taxi rank in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis of the Western Region.

A soldier, who had a confrontation with some taxi drivers, was said to have called in his colleagues from the Sekondi-Takoradi Air Force Base who arrived in military patrol vehicles at about 10:00pm Sunday, to assault the drivers.

One driver, Mathew Amponsah, who was allegedly beaten severely, was later taken to a hospital by the military personnel for first aid and handed 10 cedis afterwards for use as transport fare to the taxi rank.

His face, lips were swollen, with visible bruises on his inner lips.

What happened?

Two of the officers who were in plain-clothed were said to have had a confrontation with a taxi driver at the taxi rank over parking.

One of the officers was said to have hit the driver in the heat of the moment. The driver also retaliated, causing the military personnel to call for ‘reinforcement’ which arrived later to allegedly assault the drivers.

According to the drivers, the soldiers moved from one car to the other removing their batteries and keys which they took away.

The drivers said they informed the assemblyman in the area who intervened to get the batteries and keys for them.

It is unclear whether a former complaint has been lodged with the military police, our correspondents at the Takoradi-based Connect FM reported, but said efforts were underway to get a comment from the Air Force base officials.