The Ashanti Regional minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, has admitted he deployed security officers to Ejura Sekyeredumase in the Ashanti region following protests by some civilians.
According to him, he did that in the capacity as Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) because of the intelligence he gathered a day before the protest that led to the death of two persons.
“I picked an intelligence that the youth of the area had planned to burn the Ejura District Police Station after the burial of social activist, Ibrahim Muhammed, aka Kaaka, who was killed by a mob” . He said
The Minister made this known in an interview on Accra-based, Peace FM, on Friday, July 2, 2021.
‘I called on the military, as the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), to be a backup a day before the incident. I did that based on intelligence I gathered that the youth had planned to go and burn the police station in the town and the homes of the two suspects the police have arrested after the burial of Kaaka’, he said.
Describing the outcome of the military presence as unfortunate, Mr. Mensah said that was not the first time he had used the military to curb some planned activities within the region.
“It is very unfortunate what happened, but this isn’t the first time the military has been called upon to assist the police. It is a strategy I have used since 2017,” he stated.
Background
Ibrahim Mohammed died on Monday, June 28, 2021, after he was attacked by a mob when he was returning home on his motorbike on Sunday.
The 45-year-old was noted to be vocal on both local and national issues using his Facebook page.
Kaaka’s death sparked protests in Ejura and outrage online.
He was buried on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
After his burial, some residents of Ejura and security personnel clashed, which led to the death of two persons.
The two were among six persons who were shot during the clash and taken to the Ejura Government Hospital.
The clash occurred when some residents pelted stones at the security personnel who were deployed around the burial grounds of the late social activist.
“One died on the spot before he was brought to the hospital, so we just confirmed the death. One other died 10 minutes after resuscitation,” Dr. Mensah Manye, the Medical Superintendent Ejura Government Hospital.
