We want answers to killings, not Commander's transfer - Alavanyo youth

The youth of Alavanyo in the Volta Region say they are in the least enthused about the Inspector General of Police’s decision to transfer the Regional Commander.

Mathias Apoenchi, the youth leader said David Asante Appeatu’s transfer of DCOP Francis Doku does not answer the question of the recent killing of innocent persons in the town

“We pray and hope that the transfer of DCOP Doku is not an attempt to sweep this matter under the carpet. All that we are requesting for is justice for the three defenceless people that were murdered under his tutelage,” he told Joy FM’s Emefa Apawu on Newsnight Monday.

He said they are waiting for the committee set up to investigate the matter to come up with their findings and expect justice to be done.

Mr Apoenchi’s comment follows recent clashes between the youth of Alavanyo Dzogbedze and security agencies leading to the death of three persons including a 70-year-old man with several others sustaining various degree of injuries.

The police had said they were forestalling a communal attack when the youth shot back at them.

But in a sharp reaction, the queen mother of the town, Mamaga Ametorh opposed the assertion by the police.

“There is a wee farm in Alavanyo so the police use the place as their gold mine…today there will be this team tomorrow another team will come and they do so at random. They caught some guys and arrested them for cultivating weed and they took money from them and let them go,” she said.

She said later the police wanted to cover up that they saw gangs trying to destroy the peace of the town but that was not true.

The youth of Alavanyo asked government to set up an independent body to investigate circumstances that led to the death of three people.

According to the youth, DCOP Doku’s actions and utterances during his time there, were fueling the conflict.

“Prior to the referendum, he came out to say that there is a stockpile of arms in Alavanyo in an attempt to disrupt the election...he said people were arrested and the guns are taken away from them...three weeks later he is here saying the same thing,” he alleged.

He believes the transferred commander has something sinister against them so it is better he is gone.

Commenting on the issue, the Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa said a report by the committee set up to investigate the killings which was supposed to have come out today, has delayed because the committee requested for an extension.

“They said they have crucial evidence to take so they have requested deadline to be extended to January 24,” he Emefa Apawu on Newsnite on Joy FM.

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