Jacobu Shooting: Police commander defends actions leading to death of illegal miner
The Ashanti North Regional Police Commander, ACP Cephas Arthur, has defended the actions of police officers involved in a shooting incident at Jacobu in the Amansie Central District, saying they couldn’t allow a civilian to hold a lethal weapon in a public space.
ACP Arthur expressed concern over the death of the illegal miner, but emphasized that police only aimed to disable him as he snatched a police gun and attempted to flee.
“The intention was not to shoot and kill him, the deceased was bolting with the police assault rifle, so the intention was to demobilise him so that the weapon could be retrieved,” he explained.
In an interview with journalists, ACP Arthur stated that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and necessary action taken.
“In the cause of trying to take possession of the weapon, he fell… we cannot allow such a lethal weapon in the hands of somebody who is not trained to use it,” he said.
The incident has sparked controversy, with reports indicating that three others sustained gunshot wounds.
According to reports, the victims snatched a police assault rifle and attempted to flee, prompting police to open fire.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Jacob Agyenim Boateng
