One person has been confirmed dead, while nine others were injured after Nkoranza youth clashed with police over the death of a 28-year-old man who died in custody.
The riots also left three others in critical condition and are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Hospital.
The rampaging youth protested after the police released an official statement describing the deceased who was picked up at his residence, as an “armed robbery suspect”.
The statement infuriated the already distressed youth, who believed that the deceased who is a trader, was targeted because he chanced on a robbery scene involving some policemen.
The youth suspects the police killed Albert Donkor while he was in their custody and wants justice.
The youth, who dressed in red gear, blocked some streets of the town, burnt car tyres, and besieged the local police station where they are said to have vandalised some vehicles to register their displeasure.
The attack remained one-sided for several minutes until the arrival of a police reinforcement team.
The youth, bent on taking the fight to the police, stood their ground as they pelted the armed officers with stones and clubs.
They reportedly freed six other suspects held at the Nkoranza Municipal Police Headquarters, including a suspect who was remanded by the Nkoranza Court.
Calm was later restored after the Paramount Chief of Nkoranza, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV, appealed to them and promised to personally support the appropriate bodies for speedy investigations.
Security presence in Nkoranza has also been increased following heightened tensions between the youth and the police.
Meanwhile, the family of the 28-year-old trader and footballer has proceeded to court to seek justice for their deceased relative.
An uncle to the deceased, Rev Dr Mathias Sarkodie, revealed that the application is currently before the Accra High Court.
The family spokesperson is convinced his young nephew Albert Donkor may have been targeted after chancing on a robbery scene involving some police officers.
“We have sent the issue to the Accra High Court to seek justice for Albert. The police knew what happened, and we suspect they killed Albert to destroy evidence. So, we have given the issue to the High Court in Accra to investigate the incident for us to know exactly what happened,” he said on Accra-based Citi FM monitored by theghanareport.com.
He is optimistic that this move will allow for thorough investigations into the sudden death of his relative.
Below is the statement from the police
