Security consultant Dr. Saddick Adutwum is calling for punitive measures to be taken against military ofticers who were involved in a clash with prison officers in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
Speaking in an interview on Breakfast News, Dr. Adutwum said the military officials took the law into their hands when they launched an attack on their prison counterparts over a disagreement and should be brought to book.
“The Defense Minister and the Interior Minister need to as a matter of urgency call these people to book. The needed action needs to be taken and the matter is supposed to be investigated well,” he stated.
A violent clash between military personnel and prison officers in the conflict-prone town has left at least one person injured.
Although details about the circumstances surrounding the clash are scanty, it is reported that the incident occurred during the launch of the 40th anniversary celebration of the Bawku Naba when some military officers beat a prison officer to pulp for intervening in their pursuit of a civilian.
Officers of the prison service reportedly retaliated and that resulted in a full-scale clash.
After the initial violent clash at the chief’s palace, the military were said to have called for reinforcement and marched to the Bawku Prison where they launched another attack on the officers, leaving at least one person with gunshots wounds.
Dr. Adutwum, while condemning the incident, said such a clash in the midst of threats of terrorism and the conflict situation in Bawku jeopardizes the country’s efforts to counter threats of insecurity.
“How can the various security agencies relate well for the common good of the people. This not the way to go especially within our Northern enclave and then you look at the fragile situation in Bawku, it does not warrant for this kind of barbaric actions that we’ve seen,” he stated.
While calling for reorientation of especially the military and review of their train to ensure respect for the country’s laws and human rights, Dr. Adutwum said the matter should be thoroughly investigated and those found culpable punished severely.
“That’s very wrong and appalling and Chief of Defence Staff including the Defence Minister will need to do something about this situation because it is becoming one too many. The average military officer should understand the principle of human rights”.
