One killed over Mataheko land

Details are emerging over the manner in which one Rauf Yussif alias Adolph, a resident of Zeenu Zone 10, a suburb of Ashaiman, was attacked and severely injured by persons suspected to be land guards operating at Mateheko, near Afienya.

A certain Eric alias ‘Russia Tanker’, a member of the gang that allegedly attacked Rauf, who later died, has reportedly been arrested by the police to assist in investigation.

“It could not be true that Rauf, who was a scrap dealer and some friends attacked someone over a disputed land at Mateheko. He was attacked by a group that I understand included Eric, who is currently in police custody, Ali Quaranga, some uniformed policemen and a certain Ahmed of 1BN Michel Camp, known for his involvement in land cases around the Gbetsile and Mateheko areas,” Mohammed Morrow, the deceased’s elder brother remarked.

When he was informed by DAILY GUIDE that a contrary report had been made at the Emef Estate police station on February 2, 2013 by a complainant, Paul Tettey Amankwah, Mohammed admitted he had heard that version but insisted that his brother was killed because his friends were land guards.

Explaining further, he said on that fateful day his brother left home in a healthy state.

According to him, his family got credible information that Rauf, after spending sometime in town, returned to Mateheko where some of his friends lived.

Mohammed, who was tearful, alleged that his brother and friends were attacked by Eric and his group who shot at them.

“The deceased’s friends reportedly fled the scene and left him behind and his attackers were said to have beaten him up mercilessly until he sustained a deep cut at the back of his head.

“We were reliably informed that they even tied him with a big nylon rope like a cow and sent to the Emef police station where he was reported to have attempted robbing a resident together with his friends,” Mohammed commented.

He alleged that his brother was not immediately sent to the police station after the attack but left to bleed for sometime.

“This is the third time this same group has committed such crime. Some months ago they attacked and killed a resident of our area and as if that was not enough they again stabbed and killed another person.

“Rauf’s death brings to three the number of persons killed by this group who have been going round the area parading themselves as police informants.

The situation, he said, could generate into chaos if not addressed, as most of the bereaved families are prepared to retaliate.

“What is baffling about the whole issue is that these same guys are wanted by the police for committing various crimes including the death of Abdul Rahman Lashiotey. It is now an open secret that all of them are police informants. My brother I am really confused about what is currently happening. How could wanted men turned out to be police informants? he quizzed.

Mohammed noted that the matter had been reported and was hoping that justice would be done.

“I have to virtually beg some of my relations from the Northern region who wanted to rush down here on hearing about Rauf’s death. Their presence here might turn out different from what some of us want.”

Earlier, the Dodowa District Police Commander, Superintendent Moses Segu told this paper that Rauf and five other people on February 6, 2013 at about 2:30 pm allegedly attacked a certain Paul Tettey Amankwah at his building site and made away with his Nokia mobile phone and GH¢200.

A staff Sargent with 1BN, Michel Camp, Ahmed, who was with some other people, tried to arrest the deceased and his friends but they rushed into their vehicle with registration number GT3762-13 and fired gunshots at the military man and his friends.

The deceased and a young man, whose name was given by the police as Ibrahim Babagida, were later arrested.

Rauf, according to the Superintendent, sustained injuries during the arrest and reportedly passed away later at the Police Hospital in Accra.

The rest of the deceased’s friends reportedly hijacked a vehicle loaded with cement which they used to escape arrest. They were said to have abandoned the vehicle, which has since been retrieved.