The police administration has vowed to clamp down on activities of vigilante groups and all forms of mass disturbances in the country.
Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu who declared war on vigilantism, mass disorder and disturbances says police will not rest until these activities which are “alien to our culture” are nipped in the bud.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the police service, hereby declares a war on the act of vigilantism and all other forms of mass disorder and disturbances. We shall clamp down on it with all the force that we can marshal,” Mr. Asante-Apeatu declared.
The police administration has come under barrage of attacks following a raid on a Kumasi Circuit Court by members of Delta Force, a pro-NPP vigilante group.
Angry members of the group also freed 13 of their members remanded into prison custody following an attack on Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Agyei.
But addressing the media in Kumasi on Saturday, the Inspector General of Police who described the activities of members of Delta Force as alien and criminal called for calm.
“This isolated incident by a group who referred to itself as ‘Delta Force’ in Kumasi is alien to our culture and criminal. As a law enforcement agency, we are going to pursue our goal of bringing this phenomenon of vigilantism to an end. We shall employ all legitimate means available to us, including dialogue, enforcement and enactments (laws),” he said.
He recounted how the police administration has over the years tried to disband activities of political vigilantism but achieved little success , insisting, his administration will do more to change the status quo.
“The issue of political vigilantism has been topical for some time now. My predecessors and their respective administrations tried to stamp out the phenomenon from our body politic, and for that matter, our society.
“The Police Service, hereby, declares a war on act of vigilantism and all other forms of mass disorder and disturbances. We shall clamp down on it with all the force that we can.”
The Inspector General of Police has also assured the judiciary of maximum security with a call on the general public to assist the police succeed in the fight against vigilantism
“The police administration will like to assure the judiciary that it will provide maximum security to ensure their safety at all times.
The public is also entreated to support the police in this endeavour by volunteering information to enable the police deal with the canker once and for all.
The police can be reached on MTN and Vodafone short code 18555 or 191 on all networks, twitter : @ GhPoliceService or facebook: GhPoliceService.”
Source: Ghana I Nhyira FM I Ohemeng Tawiah