The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says it is investigating a shooting incident last night in which an Ashaiman resident died from the wounds he sustained when the rifle of a soldier he allegedly tried to disarm went off.
A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations, Colonel Eric Aggrey-Quashie, and copied to the GNA, says the civilian tried to disarm the soldier, who was conducting an arrest as part of OPERATION COVID SAFETY.
Initial reports are that the suspect in resisting arrest attempted to disarm the soldier leading to a struggle during which the soldier’s rifle accidentally went off.
“The suspect sustained life-threatening injuries and while being conveyed to the hospital for medical attention, unfortunately, passed on”.
The body of the man has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra.
The statement assures the public that details of its investigations will be duly communicated.
Below is the full statement.
PRESS RELEASE
Issued by the Public Relations Directorate, General Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra
MILITARY PRESS RELEASE
The Ghana Armed Forces is investigating an incident that occurred in Ashaiman, Accra on Sunday 5 April 2020. The incident involved an attempt by a civilian to disarm a soldier who was conducting an arrest as part of OP COVID SAFETY.
The civilian was being arrested on suspicion of indulging in illegal conduct contrary to the Narcotics Act. Initial reports are that the suspect in resisting arrest attempted to disarm the soldier leading to a struggle during which the soldier’s rifle accidentally went off. The suspect sustained.
life-threatening injuries and while being conveyed to the hospital for medical attention unfortunately passed on. The body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra.
Investigations have already commenced into the incident.
The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that details of its investigations will be duly
communicated.
SIGNED
E AGGREY-QUASHIE
Colonel
Director Public Relations.
