Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, has blamed a “breakdown in law and order” in sections of the nation for the rising number of reports of armed robbery events.
Haruna Iddrisu’s statement follows the latest robbery incident in broad daylight on Monday, June 14, 2021, which resulted in the deaths of a young police officer and a shopkeeper in Accra’s James town.
In the recent month, there have been a number of robberies in Accra, most of which have been carried out openly in full view of the public.
With an interview with Citi News, the Minority Leader implored Ghanaians to voice their collective dissatisfaction in President Akufo-Addo.
He claims that the President has failed to guarantee that Ghanaians may go about their everyday lives in safety.
“If what we are reading is anything to go by, then we all must collectively express our disappointment in the President and his handling of matters of personal safety and security. It means that there is the gradual breakdown of law and order, and I pray that we do not get to a state in our country where the watchman himself is not safe, because when the watchman himself is not secured, when the policeman who is supposed to protect lives and property himself is not secured, then it leaves much to be desired.”
The Minority Leader also called for fundamental changes in the police and security systems, as well as proper funding for the sector.
He also urged residents to keep calm as police investigate the occurrences.
“I am told that for many of them [policemen], they are not adequately and sufficiently prepared to protect lives and property, and that is equally disappointing. But our condolences will go to the bereaved families, and we ask for restraint and calm in the country, whilst we call for greater reforms in policing in Ghana.”
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh, has directed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take charge of the investigation into the bullion van assault.
Mrs. Shiella Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the police’s Director of Public Affairs, signed the IGP’s direction in a press statement released on Monday.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, has directed the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to take over the investigation into the attack on a bullion van on Monday, June 14, 2021, in Adedenpo, a suburb of James Town in Accra, which resulted in the death of a police officer.
Meanwhile, the Police Chief has requested that banks supply strengthened armoured trucks for transporting money by the end of June this year, referring the banks to a previous discussion on the issue.
If the normal bullion vehicles are not ready by the end of the month, he threatened, his officers would discontinue providing that service to the banks.
“The IGP is also reminding the Association of Bankers to provide fortified armoured vehicles for carting currencies by the close of June 2021 as earlier agreed between them and the Police Service, else the Police will withdraw its officers for escort duties,” the IGP warned in the statement
Source: CITINEWSROOM
