The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation into the shooting incident that occurred on June 8, 2023, involving the police in Bortianor, a suburb of Accra. The BPS expressed concerns about the police’s handling of the situation, stating that the use of force appears to have been unwarranted.
“With great distress, we acknowledge the possibility that the five individuals may have fallen
victim to what appears to be an unjustified use of force,” Nana Yaw Akwada, the Executive Director of BPS said in a press statement. This is deeply troubling and goes against our constitution’s justice and fair treatment principles.”
The incident resulted in the death of five individuals, and the police claim it was a shootout with suspected land guards. Nana Yaw Akwada, the Executive Director of BPS, expressed deep distress and acknowledged the possibility that the victims may have been unjustly subjected to the use of force. The BPS is alarmed by the growing trend of violence within the police service and highlights previous well-known cases where excessive force has been employed, leading to the loss of innocent civilian lives.
“The trust and confidence of the public in law enforcement are essential, and it is paramount that any concerns regarding police actions are thoroughly examined by a neutral and objective body,” said Akwada.
“It is paramount that any concerns regarding police actions are thoroughly examined by a neutral and objective body. We are minded by outcomes of similar incidents in the recent past and fear that if this trend is not adequately addressed it might endanger innocent lives of citizens, lead to a loss of trust in the police and thus undermine their legitimacy. We are confident that a thorough investigation of this incident will shed light on the truth and enable necessary actions to be taken to prevent the further recurrence of such distressing events,” he added in the statement.
