Amnesty International Ghana has condemned the unlawful killing of an 18-year-old young man, Abdul Hakim Yakubu, by some officers of the Ghana Police Service.
In a release signed by the Country Director, Mr. Frank Doyi said, Abdul was shot and killed during the Lamashegu shooting in Tamale on Sunday, February 13, 2022, as the police officers were in pursuit of a suspect.
Amnesty International Ghana considers the police action as reckless, abusive and unlawful.
Mr. Doyi said the Police Service regulations place obligations on police officers when on duty. It obliges them not to interfere with rights of others more than to the extent unavoidable to pursue the legitimate aim they are following.
“We would like to respectfully remind the Minister of Interior, the Ghana Police Service and other authorities involved in law enforcement in Ghana, that under their international human rights obligations, they must promptly, independently, thoroughly, and effectively investigate the death of all victims of unlawful killings.,” he stated.
As international human rights organization “we believe that the grieving family of Hakim should receive adequate compensation from the State to assist them through this horrific situation.”
Amnesty International Ghana is calling for an independent investigative body to, as a matter of urgency, ensure that those involved in this unlawful killing and misconduct within the Ghana Police Service are held accountable for this horrific act, and that justice is brought to the family of Abdul Hakim Yakubu and all other victims of similar incidents