The Police Administration says it deployed the right measures to control a rioting crowd on the Madina-Adentan, Thursday.

The Service has been sternly criticised for using excessive force to control the crowd after a mother and son sustained injuries when a bullet meant to disperse the angry crowd went through their car.

The crowd had gathered in front of the West African Senior School (WASS) to protest government’s inaction in fixing footbridges on the highway after a first-year student of the school was knocked and killed by a taxi.

Her death brings the total number of people who have died on that stretch alone to 194, although disputed by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).

But police in a statement copied to Joy News said “Preliminary investigations into yesterday’s rioting show that Police employed the appropriate riot control methods.”

It admits, however, that “in the process, a boy of fourteen years was injured and was treated and discharged at the Nyaho Clinic in Accra. There is no record of any other injuries related to the riot control.”

According to the police, the taxi driver who knocked and killed the young lady has been arrested and is in police custody.

The statement urged the public and media, in particular to, “focus coverage on the safety of residents and road users in the area and also be circumspect in their reportage, cross, checking facts from the media centre set up at the Adentan Police Station...”

 

Below is a copy of the full statement:

POLICE ASSURES RESIDENTS OF ADENTA OF SAFETY

The Police Administration assures residents of Adenta and its environs and users of the Madina-Adenta highway that Police is present in the area to ensure their safety.

At about 3:30 PM yesterday November 8, 2018, Police responded to rioting on the Adenta stretch of the highway following the knockdown of a teenage girl who is a student of the West Africa Secondary School. Calm was restored and the road opened to traffic at about 1900 hours.

Police have since increased presence in the area to ensure the safety of residents and road users. Motorists on that stretch of road are also urged to exercise the utmost caution to preserve lives.

Preliminary investigations into yesterday’s rioting show that Police employed the appropriate riot control methods. However, in the process, a boy of fourteen years was injured and was treated and discharged at the Nyaho Clinic in Accra. There is no record of any other injuries related to the riot control.

Meanwhile, the driver who knocked down the student has been arrested and placed in Police custody.

The public and the media, in particular, are urged to focus coverage on the safety of residents and road users in the area and also be circumspect in their reportage, cross-checking facts from the media centre set up at the Adenta Police Station this morning.

Meanwhile, anybody with images or videos related to yesterday’s rioting and its control is encouraged to send it to the Police WhatsApp number 020-663­9121.