43 arraigned over killing of police officer at Gindabour

Forty-three suspects have appeared before the Buipe Magistrate Court in connection with the killing of General Constable Redeemer Owusu at Gindabour in the Savannah Region, following unrest that erupted after the death of a local teacher.

The suspects were brought before the court on Friday and faced charges of murder and abetment of the murder of a public officer.

According to JoyNews, the suspects were transported to the court in a bus that afternoon. Some relatives, particularly those from Damongo, were seen in tears as the accused were escorted into the court premises.

The latest number of suspects arraigned is higher than the 36 initially announced by the Savannah Regional Police Command. The command had earlier said those arrested were assisting with investigations into the attack.

Meanwhile, the police have announced the arrest of another male suspect who was allegedly found in possession of a locally manufactured pistol and locally made ammunition on Thursday night.

The suspect is expected to face charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm before the Damongo Circuit Court.

Teacher's death triggers unrest
The disturbances in Gindabour followed the death of a local teacher identified as Seidu Abu after an encounter with police officers in the community.

Earlier reports indicated that the teacher was riding a motorbike when he encountered the police. He was subsequently found dead, triggering anger among some residents.

The unrest that followed led to attacks on police personnel and resulted in the death of General Constable Owusu.

The police said the bodies of the slain officer and the motorbike rider were subsequently conveyed to the Damongo Morgue, where they were preserved and subjected to autopsy procedures.

IGP visits Gindabour
Inspector-General of Police Patrick Tetteh Yohunu has since travelled to Gindabour with personnel from Police Headquarters as the security services intensify efforts to restore calm and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The IGP is expected to meet the chiefs of Gindabour and Kog, who have remained in the community with their immediate families despite reports that many residents fled the area during the unrest.

The police have also deployed investigators, intelligence officers and reinforcement teams to Gindabour to assist with the ongoing investigations and strengthen security in the affected community.