IGP Visits Families Of Victims Of Nkoranza Shootings

Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Wednesday visited families of victims of the shooting incident that caused the death of two persons in Nkoranza in the Nkoranza South Municipality of Bono East Region.

The IGP’s visit was necessitated by the clash between the youth of Nkoranza and the Police last Tuesday, following an arrest, disappearance and suspicious death by gunshot wounds of the late Albert Donkor, aged 27 while in Police custody assisting in an investigation into alleged armed-robbery cases in the area.

The youth demonstrated and attack the Nkoranza Municipal Police Station and the Divisional Headquarters’ buildings, in demand of an explanation from the Police about Donkor’s missing and suspicious killing.

Consequently, Master Victor Owusu, a student of Nkoranza Technical Institute, aged 19 also lost his life by gunshot when the Police attempted to disperse the demonstrators.

Speaking to the heads of the bereaved families, Dr  Dampare described those incidents as “unfortunate”, saying there was the need to allow peace, a precious commodity necessary for constant protection to prevail for the safeguarding and projecting of society’s interest.

Then IGP admitted though both stakeholders could not handle the matter at the required pace, it was important for the Police and residents in the community to reconcile and forge ahead in unity for public interest.

He stressed the need for the bereaved families to remain calm while efforts were being made by stakeholders to address issues arising.

Dr. Dampare expressed optimism the Police would come out with tangible and sincere investigations of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of their beloved ones.

He assured the Police’s commitment to continue to provide loyal services, especially the protection of lives and properties and enforcement of law and order for relative peace in the area.

The IGP charged Police personnel on the ground to behave professionally in the line of duty to project the Police Service as a security agency with integrity to continue to win public confidence to improve security in the Municipality and beyond.

Dr Dampare emphasised if the Police continued to build public trust, the job would become easier to do because public participation in crime-fighting would be built to assist officers in their daily duties.

As part of the visit, Dr. Dampare met traditional and religious leaders in Nkoranza to confer with them to assist for the maintenance of peace and social cohesion.

The IGP later visited the injured victims at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital at Nkoranza to console and wish them a speedy recovery.