Tamale: Eyewitness gives account on Lamashegu Shootings

Personnel from the Northern Regional headquarters yesterday Sunday 13th February 2022 in a confrontation with some civilians shot at a vehicle driver who was on board with his friends.

Three other persons were also hurt by stray bullets in the process, with one of them having his libs partially cutoff.

Late Sunday night, one of the gunshot victims identified as Abdul Hakim passed on whilst receiving medical attention.

The victim, driving an unregistered vehicle was shot by the armed police officers for claims of refusing to adhere to directives to stop for a check.

An occupant of the vehicle who went unhurt, Musah Nasir told Adonai news that the police met them on their way and chased them to stop but because they didn't know why they sped off to the Lamasheigu Naa Chief palace to intervene.

According to him, they made the move to seek refuge at the Lamasheigu Naa palace.

He said, upon reaching the chief's palace the victim tried running into the palace, and the police shot him in the waist.

This, therefore, sparked fury in the youth of the area to confront the police which resulted in a standoff between the Police and the youth.

Unfortunately, the police officer who shot the young man was manhandled by some youth who witness the incident

The Paramount Chief of Lamasheigu, Nyeb Ziblim Abubakar said, he had to intervene before the police officer was spared by the angry youth.

"He was lucky I quickly came out from the palace, the story would have been different by now, his colleagues left him behind and run with police vehicle".

He condemned the police action and charged the Ghana police service to use appropriate means to sanction the police officer for opening fire on the driver.

"The Police acted irresponsibly and unprofessionally, I don't think shooting persons whilst driving unregistered vehicles are allowed in the police service, the police need to be trained very well by their superiors to prevent future occurrence, the police must face the law".

According to him, per the customs and tradition of Dagbon, when you’re chasing someone for whatever reason and the person runs to a chief palace, you are barred to use force at that moment. 

This according to him, when the person carries out the intended act it’s regarded as gross disrespect to the palace and the Chief.