Kokrobite, Greater Accra Region – Tensions flared at Kokrobite over the weekend when police officers from the Kokrobite District Police Headquarters allegedly assaulted taxi drivers during a funeral wake-keeping, leaving six people injured and four others in custody.
The incident occurred at the Kokrobite Goil Filling Station, where drivers were reportedly assisting in directing the hearse carrying the body of a colleague’s wife to ease heavy traffic along the Kokrobite road.
Clash Over Road Obstruction
According to eyewitnesses, police officers accused the drivers of blocking the road with their vehicles, sparking a confrontation. The situation escalated, resulting in at least six injuries — including one passenger — and the arrest of four drivers, among them the chairman of the Kokrobite Drivers Association.
Some of the injured, speaking to reporters, expressed frustration, insisting they had committed no offence.
“We were only trying to control traffic for the hearse. Suddenly, the police pounced on us with sticks without provocation,” one driver recounted.
Allegations of Harassment
The drivers further alleged that such conduct by officers of the Kokrobite District Command was not new. They claimed that taxi drivers and motorbike riders (okada) are frequently harassed and assaulted whenever they refuse to pay bribes.
In a strong warning, the drivers called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Minister for the Interior to take swift disciplinary action against the officers involved, including their commander. Failure to act, they cautioned, would compel them to “advise themselves.”
Assault on Journalists
In a development likely to deepen concerns, reports indicate that the district station officer and his men also assaulted journalists who visited the police station to seek their side of the story. The journalists were allegedly driven away from the premises.
Call for Accountability
The incident has fueled outrage among residents, who say the actions of the police undermine public trust in law enforcement. Civil society groups are also demanding a full-scale investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
Source – My News Ghana
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