Murder suspects were terrorizing residents of Kumasi – Minister

Accra, Nov.22 - Mr Ambrose Dery, the Minister of the Interior, on Wednesday said the two suspected criminals in Police custody at Asawase in the Ashanti Region, who were shot in an attempt to escape, had been robbing and terrorizing residents of Kumasi.

According to him, the suspects were shot dead when they attempted to escape custody, whilst the police conducted a search at one of their hideouts to retrieve weapons.

Mr Dery made the statement when he appeared before Parliament to brief them on the matter.

The shooting and killing of the two sparked riots in the area prompting the Speaker to summon the Interior Minister to the house.

Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, had raised the matter on the floor of Parliament and requested that the Interior Minister be made to appear before the House to speak to the matter.

Awudu Osman, also known as Awudu Ninja, was shot and killed by police with his alleged accomplice Lukeman Mohammed, also known as Alfa.

Final funeral rites had been held for both suspects according to Islamic tradition.

Relatives of Osman have intensified their call for justice for the deceased after they had given the Government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) a three-day ultimatum to investigate the death.

Mr Dery said police information indicated that victims of recent robberies identified the two in a recent parade conducted in Kumasi.

He said records available to the Police shows that Lukeman Mohammed has been on the Regional Police wanted list since June 16, 2016 for his involvement in robbery that occurred at Bakery at Gyedi-Kenyasi where they shot a worker, Aba Kyere 35, in the left arm and took away a pump action gun and an amount of GH₵13,500.00.

He said two of his accomplices; Farouk and Saliu, were currently in prison custody. Two other accomplices in the robbery incident are at large.

Mr Dery further stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing to ascertain the full facts.

He said the fight against crime would be pursued with due regard for the fundamental human rights of suspects.

He said any person who made allegation of a breach of human rights of any suspect was welcomed to assist the investigation of same, adding that   appropriate action would be taken for redress.

GNA