Sogakope Youth Back Down On Threats Of Civil Unrest Over Slayed Of Assemblyman

Youth of Sogakope in the Volta Region, where an Assemblyman was gruesomely murdered and robbed on Sunday, have backed down on their threat to start civil unrest in the town upon the expiration of a three-day ultimatum to the Police to find the perpetrators.

A release by the youth, and signed by an opinion leader, Maxwell Lukutor said even though the perpetrators have still not yet been found, real efforts to find them have been demonstrated by the Police hence the youth’s decision to give space to the Police to carry out their dutie.

“…we believe that our call is being heeded to and there is positive action on the ground to apprehend the criminals.

The fact is that we have never doubted the ability of the police but we are unhappy about the response time to distress calls in order to avert the occurrences.

“Based on the several appeals from well meaning Ghanaians we are by this statement calling on all who are so pained by the death of our colleague, brother, business associate and Assembly Member to remain calm as we monitor the situation and give more space to the police to finish up with their investigation.

“We can only be appeased when the perpetrators of this heinous and barbaric act are found and brought to book,” the statement said.

Among others, it cited the placement of a bounty bon the head of the perpetrators by both government and former President Jerry John Rawlings as proof that real efforts are being made to bring the perpetrators to book.

There was an emergency DISEC meeting organized later that same day to strategize and a bounty of ¢10,000 for anyone who would volunteer information leading to a successful arrest of the culprits.

“The Regional Minister came early Monday morning in the company of the Regional Police Command and other RESEC members to commensurate with the family. He visited the Police Command of the District and the Division to familiarize himself with the state of affairs at the commands and their condition of service.

“The Minister’s Entourage later met a section of the youth together with some chiefs and elders of the District at the instance of members of DISEC to chat the way forward to find a quick resolution to the issue at hand and to strengthen security subsequently.

“There was a reenforcement of  security with the Armed Forces to protect life and property in town. The Police have subsequently deployed their experts from the Regional Anti Armed Robbery Unit and the CID Headquarters in Accra to visit places of interest  to begin their investigation in earnest.

“The former President His Excellency Flt Lt JJ Rawlings has issued a statement in support of the display of anger and protest of citizens in the right direction devoid of destruction of property to unravel the mystery and also placed a bounty of ¢25,000 which we heard might be increased for anyone who gives a lead for the apprehension of the Criminals,’

 The statement pointed out.

It added that, “There was another bounty of ¢10,000 from a businessman and the NDC constituency Vice Chairman Bright Ahu. There was a visit from the Volta Regional NDC Parliamentary Caucus and the NDC Regional executives to commensurate with the family and access the security situation in and around Sogakope. An amount of ¢15,000 bounty was announced for anyone who volunteer information.

“The Tongu Council of Chiefs met with DISEC to enquire about happenings and to advice on how to get to the bottom of this crime. A statement was issued in support of the declared anger of the youth but called for calm as we all expedite action on finding the criminals of the current atrocity and similar previous crimes.”

The statement also added that there has been a lot of information volunteering from citizens at all angles to the appropriate quarters, all in the bid to get  the culprits, and that the youth are collaborating with the Police

“Through our civil action a total bounty of ¢60,000 awaits anyone or group of persons who volunteer information leading to the successful arrest of these culprits,” it said.