Govt condemns Delta Force
Following acts of lawlessness by some members of the Delta Force in Kumasi, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, has reiterated the government’s commitment to deal with any person or group that breaks the law, irrespective of their political affiliations.
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At a press conference in Accra yesterday, he said the government would pursue the members of the Delta Force involved in the breach of peace, law and order and bring them to book.
He submitted that irrespective of the political affiliation of law breakers, the law would be made to take its full course to serve as a deterrent to the public, adding that “absolutely no one is above the law”.
The press conference was precipitated by an incident in which some members of the Delta Force stormed the Kumasi Circuit Court yesterday and freed the 13 members of the group who were facing charges for storming the office of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator and throwing him out of office.
Delta Force activities
Mr Dery described the activities of the Delta Force as regrettable and unacceptable, adding: “The government totally condemns the situation and will not relent in its efforts to clamp down on their activities.”
He warned the 13 escapees to surrender themselves to the police in their own interest because even if they did not, the security agencies would definitely find them and bring them to book. He called on the public, particularly supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to be law-abiding because if they were found culpable of breaking the law, they would be made to face its full rigours without compromise.
The minister said a joint security force would be used to contain the activities of the Delta Force and other vigilante groups to ensure maximum safety for all.
IGP’s response
Recounting the events that led to the incidence at the court yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr David Asante- Apeatu, confirmed that the 13 members of the Delta Force who were arraigned escaped with the help of other members.
He said a bench warrant had been issued for the arrest of the 13, while eight members of the mob were arrested by the police.
The IGP explained that the 13 who had escaped had earlier been arraigned and granted bail to reappear before the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly Circuit Court yesterday, which they did willingly.
“They were remanded in prison custody when they appeared before the same court yesterday to reappear on April 20, 2017,” he said Mr Asante-Apeatu said the decision of the judge infuriated the members of the group, who invaded the court and freed the 13 members who had allegedly chased out the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Mr George Adjei, from his office last month.
On security at the court when the 13 appeared before it, the IGP said because the suspects had willingly showed up in court, the police did not anticipate such an incident.
“We positioned 20 policemen on standby to complement the efforts of the regular security at the court, but they were overwhelmed by the mob, which resulted in the unfortunate incident,” he said.
However, he said the security agencies were on top of the issues and assured the public that they would bring the culprits to book and clamp down on all activities of vigilante groups, including the Delta Force.
He appealed to the public to remain calm and rest assured that their safety was guaranteed.