Some residents of Bolgatanga in the Upper East region have decried some brutalities visited on them by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces during late hours of the night.
The security personnel were deployed to the Bolgatanga Municipality to curtail renewed clashes following some disturbances between two chieftaincy factions in the Bolgatanga traditional area some four months ago.
Some residents who spoke to a1radioonline.com have accused the military men of virtually mounting barriers on some roads around the Atulbabisi area during late hours of the night to stop and whip riders without crash helmets.
According to them, the habit of the soldiers to immediately met out slaps and lash their victims with whips and sticks is unacceptable and a violation of their human rights. They opined that if the military men wish to venture into the arrest of riders without helmets, then they should instead hand over culprits to the police but not subject them to inhumane treatment.
A resident who narrated his ordeal on condition of anonymity said he was stopped by the men in uniform at about 10:20pm on Thursday because he was on a motor bike without helmet. He added that before he could utter a word, he was surrounded and given hefty slaps and whips before being released.
In what appears to be an incessant action by the military men, Upper East regional correspondent for the Daily Guide newspaper Ebo Bruce Quansah was also assaulted in a similar fashion by same military men during late hours of Sunday in an attempt to establish the authenticity of claims made by residents against the soldiers.
“Some guys called me and informed me when I was away so I promised to check as soon as I arrive. Unfortunately I just fell into their hands and they will not listen to anything. They started beating me with copper wires and big sticks. They just hit everywhere including my stomach, back and my head. Unfortunately as they kept shouting go go go, my motor bike had failed to start and every one of them started coming and just beating me. I thought I would even suffer some internal bleeding.” Mr. Ebo said.
The actions of the security personnel are generating anger amongst the residents who have threatened to use appropriate means to report them to the rightful authorities.
By: Azongo Albert | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
