Islamic SHS shooting: IGP removes regional police chief, 2 cops interdicted
The Deputy Regional Commander in the Ashanti region, DCOP Kwasi Akomeah-Apraku has been removed following the shooting incident that occurred at the Islamic Senior High School in Kumasi on Monday, June 13.
Two other officers, ACP George Ankomah, the Regional Operations Officer, and ACP Alex Cudjoe Acquah the Suame Divisional Police Commander, have also been interdicted to make way for a thorough investigation.
This comes after the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare led a team to the school shortly after the unfortunate incident to assess the situation.
The statement from the police, also admitted that a better approach to tackling the riot at Kumasi Islamic Senior High School in could have been employed.
“It was further established that even though nobody was hit by a bullet, the police handling of the incident was poor and fell short of our standard operating procedure on crowd control,” the police said.
Meanwhile, the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) has since commenced a full-scale investigation into the conduct of the officers who were responsible for the police response.
Police clinical psychologists have also been deployed to the school to offer psychological support to the student body.
Background
About 25 Islamic Senior High School students in Kumasi were rushed to the hospital following an alleged clash with the police.
The agitated students, who appeared to have had enough casualties on the road in front of the school, took to the streets on Monday morning to protest.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the death of a teacher who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle over the weekend.
The students blocked the Abrepo Junction – Barekese road to register their displeasure.
According to them, frequent calls and promises for speed humps in light of recent accidents on the stretch have fallen on deaf ears.
Two hours into the demonstration saw heavy vehicular and human traffic.
The police were then called to the scene to clear the roadblock and disperse the agitated students.
However, the police fired tear gas and shot into the protesting crowd, causing the injuries.
The affected students who are said to be suffering from respiratory distress were taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, and other neighbouring hospitals.
Public uproar after the incident
The Volunteer for Muslim Youth Empowerment and Development, a leading youth organization has condemned “the horrendous attack on students of Islamic Senior High School, the Ghana Police.”
A statement issued by the leading youth organization said, “Students went on the streets to protest over frequent road accidents at the main entrance of the school when the alleged shooting happened. This discussion is not about whether the demonstration was authorized or not, but the unprofessional act of some police personnel.”
The group is worried about the significant implication of this attack on the safety and mental health of the students.
“The duty of the security service is to protect the life and property of the citizens, we do not see the need for the usage of teargas and bullets on unarmed students,” the statement added.