Killing of seven Kumasi Zongo indigene: fact-finding committee clears victims of being armed robbers; 21 police officers to be interdicted

The seven Kumasi Zongo indigene who were gunned down by some police officers at Manso-Nkwanta in the Ashant Region for allegedly being armed robbers, have been cleared by the Government fact-finding committee set up to investigate the incident. 

All the seven men were shot and killed in July and the Police at the time claimed the victims were armed robbers who had exchanged fire with the police; a claim relatives and angry youth from the zongo community in Kumasi rejected vehemently, leading to the Government setting up a fact finding committee.

A Government statement issued on Monday cleared the victims of being armed robbers, stating that the Committee had no evidence before it to confirm the claim that they were armed robbers who exchanged fire with the Police. 

“According to the report, there were no facts before the committee to establish that the deceased persons were armed robbers who engaged in exchange of fire with the Police,” said the Government statement which was signed by Information Minister, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. 

Consequently, Government, the statement added, upon a careful study of the report, has decided that the twenty-one (21) police personnel involved in the incident who have been found to be the principal suspects, be interdicted by the Police administration and be subjected to formal police criminal investigations into the matter.

The statement further stated that in consultation with the families and community leaders, Government will provide support for dependents of the deceased persons.

Meanwhile Government has assured the general public that due process will be followed in the pursuit of justice and called for continued calm and patience pending a conclusive determination of the matter.