The Interior Minister has implored residents of Wa municipality in the Upper West Region to respect the laws of the land after a Saturday protest over the shooting of a teacher turned violent.

Ambrose Dery cautioned there could be damage to lives and properties in the municipality if tempers are not brought under control .

Some residents of Wa went on rampage, pelting stones and blocking roads following the shooting of 24-year-old teacher, Ali Rashid by a policeman.

Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery with one of the victims

The teacher is reported to have been shot after he failed to hand over the key to his unlicensed motorbike to the police officer.

In protest, Mr Rashid's colleagues set fire on used lorry tyres and smashed the screens of a vehicle belonging to the Tamale Airborne Force detachment based in Wa.

A police officer suffered seriously injuries in the course of the protest.

Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery with one of the victims

Interacting with Joy News minutes after visiting the victims at the hospital, Mr Dery said government will not condoned citizens who take the law into their own hands.

"Every citizen has rights and responsibilities to respect the law in every situation," he said, adding any whose rights have been violated need to resort to the due process in addressing it.

He called on the police and residents to learn to live together in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.