Volta Region: Police Brutality Angers Anyirawase Residents

Some residents of Anyirawase, a community in the Awudome Traditional Area of the Volta Region, are outraged over what they call Police brutality of some persons accused of taking part in some disturbances in the town.

Whilst picking the corpse of a deceased family member on Friday for burial, a man who was identified as Bright Gleh, led a convoy of fleet of cars including the Hearse, and was allegedly seen driving recklessly; screeching his car to the panic of residents.

His conduct according to eyewitnesses, drew the attention of the Anyirawase Police, who moved in to ensure order.

Moments after quelling the situation, the police decided to toll a vehicle parked at the scene.

A resident, Raphael Agbeti, who is a brother to the owner of the said vehicle, met the Police in the process and asked for their identity since they were not in uniforms.

This however angered the Police who were said to have been provoked by the victim's quest to know their identity before the car is tolled away.

“I was on my motorbike passing when I saw the police tolling my brother's car. I quickly called my brother on phone to tell him that his car was being tolled and later approached the men around the car to know who they were. They said they were Police Officers so I asked for their ID and they got angry that I questioned their authority”.

Narrating his ordeal to Citi News, the 44-year old man said the five Police officers pounced on him, picked him from his motorbike into their vehicle, and started molesting him.

He said although he never resisted arrest, the police took turns to molest him mercilessly including hefty slaps and use of the back of the gun to hit his spines.

He was left bleeding with cuts on his body and heavily swollen eyes.

This was confirmed by residents who witnessed the assault on a man most of them claimed was innocent.

They explained that the main suspect was arrested without being molested.

The victim further narrated that, whilst in the custody of the police, his condition started deteriorating, and was rushed to a nearby clinic as he could not see properly due to the injury to his eyes.

He said although he overheard the doctor referred his case to a bigger hospital in Ho, the Police ignored advice and threw him back into the cells.

When Citi News contacted the victim in Ho, he was lodging a complaint of assault at the Anyirawase Police.

He later picked a medical form to receive treatment at the Ho Municipal Hospital. The incident according to the victim was a clear violation of his rights as a citizen.

His family, who were equally outraged by the situation, suspects foul play in the Police handling of the case.

According to them, there is a chieftaincy problem in the area hence they suspect their son who belongs to the paramountcy was used as a scapegoat.

They are therefore calling on the Police Service to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, the Anyirawase police have refused to comment on the matter.

But the Volta Regional Police Commander, ACP Asoma Hini, said his outfit would begin investigations into the matter.