Residents of Alavanyo in the Volta region say blame for ongoing disturbances in the area should be laid squarely at the doorstep of the Regional Police Commander; DCOP Francis Doku.
Three people lost their lives and some six others sustained injuries during a shootout between the youth of the area and some military men on Sunday.
The Alavanyo Youth Association Wednesday released a Press Statement in which they say the impasse in the area is not due to renewed clash between Alavanyo and Nkunya folks but rather “a clear case of a business deal gone bad between some business parties within the area which equally involves some security officials. Evidence available to us points to the fact that the clash has no relationship whatsoever to any arms as reported by the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Doku.”
The youth said they feel obliged as indigenes of Alavanyo to set the records straight as far as the latest confusion in Alavanyo is concerned.
They stress that the tension between Alavanyo and Nkonya has died down due to relentless efforts invested in peace in the area.
They however point out that “the recent confusion which has led to three people losing their lives is as a result of some illegal business being transacted in the area by some security officials who felt cheated along the way hence the venting of Wednesday, January 16, 2019 their anger on innocent youth in the town.”
The insist that the blame should be left at the doorstep of the Police Commander of the area.
“It’s very painful and heart piercing that whilst we are enjoying our little peace which we have been working hard for, a greedy and a corrupted Police Commander with his irresistible appetite to make money will sacrifice our peace for money and draw us backward.”
They accuse the Police Commander; DCOP Francis Doku and his accomplice who they say is a Police officer at Ashaiman of trying to “hang” them based on their previous violent history.
“We have both audio and visual evidence at our disposal to prove the point being made. Personalities within the security service have been mentioned and there is the need to ensure these people are brought to book.”
The youth of Alavanyo say they do not trust the Police as far as this matter is concerned and called for thorough investigation by “an independent investigative body”.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the normal practice that is done when the Police want to do a search in the area is for them to first go to the Divisional Police Command which is Kpando and the officers of the command will lead them into the area. But when DCOP Francis Doku was coming none of this happened and when they needed reinforcement, instead of calling on the Peace Keepers stationed at Kpeme who are about 3km away, DCOP Francis Doku in his wisdom drove to Kpando (20km away from Alavanyo) did not call for reinforcement from Kpando or reported anything to them but proceeded to Nkonya (30km away) in all 50km away from Alavanyo to drive reinforcement to the town to kill our brothers.”
The youth say they are ready to hand in evidence to National Security in order to secure justice for their brothers who have lost their lives.
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