Delta Force escapees: Turn yourselves in or be flushed out - Interior Minister

The Interior Minister has served notice to members of NPP-linked Delta Force, who escaped from police custody Thursday, to turn themselves or be smoked out.

Ambrose Dery at a news conference in Accra said he will not waiver in his application of the law to maintain law and order.

“I have said that if you commit an offence, we shall arrest you, investigate the matter, and send you to court,” he told the media.

There was pandemonium at a Circuit court in Kumasi when some members of the vigilante group, Delta Force, stormed the premises to release 13 of its members who are standing trial for assault and violent behaviour.

The men were arrested after they went to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to assault the newly appointed Security Coordinator, George Agyei.

The group had argued Mr Agyei did not play any role in the struggle to bring the NPP into power. They recommended to the President to appoint their leader.

The police arraigned 21 of the men before the court, but only 13 of them appeared. The remaining eight did not turn up.

In a Hollywood-style fashion, a total of 50 members of the group besieged the court amidst chanting. They broke into the court and freed their members.

Joy News Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Nurudeen Mohammed, reported the few police personnel who were present protected the Presiding judge, Mary M.E. Nsenkyire, to protect her.

The development has been widely condemned by Ghanaians who believe the security agencies were lax. They said the police failed to anticipate the situation.

NPP National Youth Organiser, Sammy Awuku, told Evans Mensah on Joy FM’s Top Story the police erred because of their failure to handle the issue. "You can't take chances like this."

He said they expect the security agencies to be active because President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated he does not want to be involved in the matter.

But Mr Dery said although the group is believed to be affiliated to the governing NPP, they will insist on the full compliance with the dictates of the law.

“The law is the law,” the Interior Minister said, adding they will do everything within their power to re-arrest the men and put them before the court.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | [email protected]