The Inspector General of Police David Asante-APeatu, who is by law, part of the National Security Council, has said he did not know about the security operation that caused mayhem during the Ayawaso by-election.
“My lord, I did not know about the operation…I believe the police is well trained and equipped to have dealt with the situation at hand if it was brought to our attention,” the IGP told the Commission probing the violence that characterised the by-election on January 31,2019.
He also bemoaned the brutalities that occurred at the polling centres noting he does not know the capabilities of the National Security SWAT team.
“Our service instructions enjoin us not to use torture or violence to solve problems. We can use minimum force when it is necessary. Any officer who fires or gives command for a firearm should know that he will account for that.
“We believe the national security is operating within the laws of the land. If there is anything untoward, we receive a complaint and we take action against that”.
Mr. Asante-Apeatu also noted the Commission has unearth several things that must be re-looked by the security agencies.
“The Commission of Inquiry has brought forth so many lessons that we are learning from”.
On vigilantism, he said: ” The Ghana police service has started putting out banners that vigilantism is a threat to our democracy. The political Parties claim they do not sponsor vigilantism but it’s my firm believe that all of us must say firmly that whoever has a vigilante group, we will not vote for during elections”.
The National Security team that was dispatched to the by-election subjected several people to beatings and others shot prompting a withdrawal of the main opposition NDC from the polls.
The Commission of Inquiry has brought forth so many lessons that we are learning from
