Ejura is known for violence, police couldn’t have stopped protests – Nifahene

The Nifahene of the Ejura Traditional Council, Nana Osei Kwadwo Ansebie, has said that the police could not have prevented Ejura youth from the recent bloody protests even if they had been proactive.

The murder of an activist sparked protests in the area resulting in a clash between the youth and law enforcement agencies.

This resulted in gunshots that claimed the lives of two persons, and several others sustained injuries.

Appearing before a committee tasked to probe the disturbances in Ejura, the sub-chief said on Wednesday, July 4, 2021, that the protest was bound to happen.

“Knowing Ejura as it is and the sort of violence [we see], there was no way the police could have averted the protest whether they took immediate action or they delayed,” he observed.

Some security analysts have argued that intelligence and the deployment of a good strategy could have prevented the bloodshed.

But the chief held a contrary opinion.

From his experience in dealing with conflicts in the area, he explained that the adamant youth would never back down; hence military intervention was prudent.

Nana Kwadwo Ansebie maintained that Ejura was a hotspot for violent protests and the deployment of soldiers was the only solution.

“My Lord, Ejura, over the years have experienced a lot of such demonstrations [and] riots but not the way [and] how we had the casualties. They always have to get the military to intervene and cool down things over there. So, I believe getting them [soldiers] in was a good thing. Sadly it led to casualties, but it was a good thing,” he insisted.

About the protests

The disturbances were due to the death of an activist Ibrahim Muhammed, also known as Kaaka.

He was a resident of Ejura who was attacked and assaulted.

He later died due to injuries at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Witness accounts claim that the deceased was ambushed in front of his house when he was returning home on his motorbike at about 1:30 am on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Ibrahim Muhammed was rushed to the Ejura Municipal Hospital to receive medical treatment after the attack.

He was later transferred to KATH, where he died at midday on Monday, June 28, 2021, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Godwin Ahianyo, told the media at a press briefing.

Providing an account of the incident, the widow of the deceased, Sahada Hudu, said she found him in a pool of blood after the attack.

“I thought my husband was driving away goats from the house at the time. Little did I know that he was being attacked. We saw him in a pool of blood. The people bolted as soon as we opened the door to check what was happening,” she recounted.

Before his death, Ibrahim Muhammed, aged 45, took to social media, where he posted social critiques about the Ejura Municipality and other issues of national importance.

His last activity on Facebook was to share a post criticizing the arrest of 15 members of the #TheFixCountry at the High Court Complex on June 25.

In the aftermath of his death, scores of angry residents stormed the streets in Ejura to demand justice over the murder.

Two shot dead, four hospitalised

Two protestors died while four others were left in critical condition after law enforcement officers shot into a crowd demonstrating over the death of Kaaka.

The other injured persons were taken to the Ejura Government Hospital for treatment.

Court Remands Three Suspected Killers Of Kaaka

Meanwhile, a District Court in Asokwa in the Ashanti Region on July 2 remanded three into police custody in connection with the murder of Kaaka.

Isaka Ibrahim, Fuseini Alhassan and Idi Mohammed were slapped with conspiracy to commit a murder.

The three are to reappear on July 22, 2021.

The Committee of Inquiry

A three-member committee of inquiry was announced on Thursday, July 1, by Interior Minister Ambrose Dery to look into the matter.

It comprises George Kingsley Koomson, a judge in the Court of Appeal, international relations and security expert Prof. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, and Juliet Amoah, a media-tech innovator.

The tripartite committee was given a 10-day period to complete their investigations, but they requested more time.

The constitution of the committee followed a directive by President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Ministry of Interior to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of social activist Ibrahim Anyass Mohammed and others during a protest in Ejura.

Mandate

Mr Dery announced the committee at Ejura during a courtesy call on the Ejuramanhene, Barima Osei Hwedie II, to commiserate with him on the death of the three.

The minister said the committee was to investigate the incident and make recommendations to forestall a recurrence in Ejura or elsewhere in the country.

He said the committee was made up of trusted people and expressed the belief that they would make appropriate recommendations after a thorough investigation of last Tuesday’s unfortunate incident.

“This committee, I believe, is a committee of prominent personalities of this country, trusted; I believe that within the 10 days given, ending July 9, 2021, the unfortunate circumstances will be investigated and appropriate recommendations made,” he said.