Walewale: Soldiers Assault Residents Over Burning Truck
Some residents in Walewale in the North East Region on Tuesday sustained injuries after an alleged military brutality in the afternoon.
Some military personnel reportedly stormed homes, shops and streets to assault individuals indiscriminately, leaving several injured and the entire community in shock.
Victims are receiving treatment at the hospital.
The soldiers are said to have reportedly misconstrued a burning truck in the town as an incident of arson in relation to the conflict in Bawku and therefore stormed the Walewale township and unleashed mayhem on any resident they came across.
A police source at the West Mamprusi Municipal Police command has confirmed the incident to Graphic Online and said the police are investigating the alleged military brutality.
What Happened?
According to an eyewitness account, the incident was linked to the burning of a stationary truck within the township.
A Walewale-based journalist, Dokurugu Alhassan who witnessed the incident said a truck, which was transporting vegetables from the Bolgatanga direction towards Kumasi, developed an electrical fault and caught fire when it got to the Walewale township.
He said when the soldiers got wind of the burning truck, they reportedly stormed the scene, assuming it was in connection with the Bawku conflict.
He said some mechanics were working on the truck when it suddenly caught fire.
Victims Narration
Recounting their experiences, some of the victims said the soldiers assaulted them with whips and gun butts.
A victim, Saaka Yakubu said “I was in my shop when they stormed there and ordered me to lie on the floor and started beating me, I still don’t know why they beat me.”
Condemnation
Reacting to the incident, the Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency, Dr. Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama condemned the alleged brutality and called for an immediate investigation to uncover the facts and hold those responsible accountable.
“It is unacceptable for military personnel to take the law into their own hands and subject innocent residents to such inhumane treatment. I demand a swift and thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims and restore calm to the community,” he said.
Source: Graphic
