What was meant to be a solemn farewell to a loved one in Nyinahin, Ashanti Region, turned into a scene of tragedy on Thursday morning, when a confrontation with military personnel ended in gunfire, leaving one man dead and three others seriously injured.
According to a police situational report, the violence erupted around 11:00 a.m. at Nyinahin-Nkwanta, as a group of young men made their way to the cemetery to bury a deceased friend. Along the way, they were stopped by a military truck, reportedly travelling from Kumasi to Bibiani.
Eyewitnesses say six soldiers descended from the truck and confronted 37-year-old Akwasi Lala, popularly known in the community as “Kushivi,” accusing him of wearing military attire illegally. As he was reportedly complying with demands to remove the clothing, one of the soldiers allegedly shot him at close range in the head, killing him instantly.
Chaos broke out as the soldiers allegedly fired into the crowd of mourners, hitting three others: Kofi Agyapong, 44, Alfred Kwarteng, 24, and Kofi Owusu, 36, popularly called “Juve.”
The wounded were rushed to the Nyinahin Government Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Meanwhile, a police team dispatched to the scene recovered 18 empty bullet shells, which have been kept as part of an ongoing investigation.
Akwasi Lala’s body has been deposited at the Nyinahin Community Mortuary, awaiting autopsy.
The incident has left the Nyinahin community in shock and anger, with many residents calling for an independent probe and swift justice.
The Ghana Armed Forces is yet to issue an official statement on the shooting. The case is currently being investigated by Detective Sergeant Yussif Osman of the Nyinahin Police.
As the community mourns not just the original deceased but now a second tragic loss, questions are mounting over the military’s role and use of force in civilian spaces.
