Baba Yara Shooting: Kotoko order swift probe

Football club Kumasi Asante Kotoko is demanding a swift investigation into the case of police shoot out which resulted in the injury and hospitalization of a football fan at the Baba Yara sports stadium in Kumasi.

The supporter who was caught up in a violent brawl after the club’s 1 – 0 defeat to Berekum Chelsea was hit by a rubber bullet fired by one of the police personnel detailed to offer security at the stadium.

Police had it tough restraining the supporters who were enraged at what they described as poor officiating on the part of the referee when they began pelting stones and other missiles unto the field during the game.

The anger of the supporters who were hell-bent at registering their anger was however not assuaged as they continued the protests after the match occasioning the shootout.

Officials of the football club, however, insist the police took a highhanded decision as according to them, the officiating referee who was the subject of contention had already been whisked away in a police entourage vehicle.

Public Relations Officer of the Club, Kennedy Boakye Ansah told the media, “I saw the incident because I was not so far from it. I drew the attention of the police medical team and asked that he be put into an ambulance.”

“The police was here to save life and property but this unfortunate issue has happened. Swift investigations need to be commenced and whoever gave the shot needs to be reprimanded because, at the time he gave the shot, the referee had been put in the police entourage vehicle so we see no reason why the police gave the shot,” he insisted.

Kennedy Boakye Ansah, however, indicated that the exact club the victim was supporting could not be readily ascertained since he was not in any replica jersey.

He, however, commiserated with the family and gave assurances that the football club will foot all hospital bills of the victim.