The Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, has condemned the manhandling of some residents in his constituency by some military personnel.
Speaking on the Eyewitness News, Dr. Hassan Pelpuo said “some distasteful things are happening in this regime which is challenging the democracy we enjoy. I think that it will only be right for the government to also condemn it completely and ensure that it never happens anywhere else.”
“I came into town and spoke to one of the Senior Officers in a bid to find out exactly what happened. He did not seem to have full knowledge of the issue. But what he told me was that the information he had gathered is that a soldier went to Melcom to purchase a mobile phone, together with some other items. He stepped out, and the phone was snatched from him. So he quickly went home and mobilised his men, who also stormed onto the street. When the military came in, they saw everyone gathered as an enemy, and launched the attack on them.”
“We cannot live with any government that does not respect the rights of the people. The government must be ashamed of all that is happening.” he fired.
The MP narrated what ensued at his meeting with the Military Command after the incident.
“When I met with the military commander, he was as surprised as I was by the incident. He told me he quickly recalled his men upon hearing the news. He agreed this is unacceptable. He apoligised on behalf of his men and assured that the incident will not repeat itself,” he said.
A viral video on social media on Thursday, July 1, 2021, showed armed military officers brutalizing some residents in Wa allegedly over a missing mobile phone.
The video sighted by Citi News saw some residents being forced to lie in open gutters while being beaten.
Some eyewitnesses told Citi News the soldiers claimed their mobile phone was stolen, hence their action.
They recount that the officers who could not be immediately identified stopped tricycles and brutalized particularly young men.
The Public Relations Officer of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Cletus Awuni was also beaten by the officers.
