The Interior Minister has assured that the police will expeditiously investigate the murder of one person at the office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Kumasi in the Ashanti region.

Ambrose Derry said the issue will be treated as a criminal one and the perpetrators will be brought to book. He is, however, cautioning against reprisals.

He says the incident provides an opportunity for all political parties to work together to stop political party vigilantism.

“I have always said that vigilantism is illegal and the president has been very clear that crime has no political colour…I will entreat those who feel victimised by that action to help the police investigate and not take the matter into their own hands to try and revenge,” he said.

The Ashanti Regional Police has launched a search for four people who are alleged to have shot two people killing one of them at the office of the NDC in Kumasi.

In a press release, the police indicated the four suspects alleged to be part of an NDC vigilante group, Hawks, were behind the attack.

The police have mounted a search for Husein Barnabas, also known as Warrior, Mijima, Damos, and Abu Taliban.

The Kumasi office where the shooting took place.

This search comes after some executive and members of the NDC were attacked at the regional office in Kumasi on February 18.

According to an eye witness, the assailant, associated with an NDC militia, the Hawks, shot an NDC man thrice. First in the leg while he runs and twice in the chest at close range as he lay vulnerable.

According to reports, the injured man suffered from internal bleeding and is scheduled to undergo surgery.

But Mr. Dery advised those affected not to engage in reprisals as that will amount to the same act of vigilantism.

“It is not a blame game and the impunity must stop. We must work together to stop vigilantism because if we joke, it will engulf us. I can assure you that the president’s commitment is unflinching,” he said.

Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu

However, the Minority is worried about the security situation in the country. 

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, says Monday’s shooting incident is an indication of law enforcement failure.

He said the creeping insecurity in the country and emerging violence remain the greatest threat to the country’s democracy.

“In the Kumasi incident. The law must deal swiftly, decisively and ruthlessly with any person associated with the event. And again, it points to law enforcement failure…[police] beginning to have assumptions and presumptions, that is worrying,” he said.