Bolgatanga Police detain policeman over Bukere-Soe incident

Bolgatanga, Jan. 19, GNA - The Bolgatanga police on Wednesday detained for questioning, a 36-year-old policeman in connection with last Sunday's conflict between residents of Bukere and Soe sections of the Municipality.

Corporal Evans Ayingura Abolga, alias Asakene Abolga, who is a native of Bukere and currently in service at Tuobodom in the Brong Ahafo Region, is alleged to have fired gunshots while in police uniform during the fight, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old girl and injuring nine other persons.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Victor Seth Agbetornyo, Upper East Regional Crime Officer who confirmed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga on Thursday, said the Regional Police Command was in the process of seeking clearance with its Brong Ahafo counterpart on Corporal Abolga.

"At the moment we have two conflicting pieces of information on him. One version has it that he is on interdiction, while another also says that he has deserted his post," said the DSP. The Crime Officer indicated that in their statements to the police, the nine victims who received gunshot wounds during the fight identified Corporal Abolga as the gunman who fired at them.

DSP Agbetornyo said; Corporal Abolga, however, denied the allegation during police interrogation, nor was any rifle found in his possession when a search was conducted on him at the time of arrest. The arrest of the policeman on Wednesday brings to six the number of suspects detained in connection with last Sunday's violence. DSP Agbetornyo said they would appear before the Bolgatanga Circuit Court on Thursday to be properly remanded in custody to allow the police ample time for further investigations.

Meanwhile, Mr Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister had made arrangements for four of the victims who had severe gunshot wounds on their legs airlifted to Sunyani last Wednesday for treatment. Four others were treated and discharged at the Bolgatanga Government Hospital.