Ejura Shootings: Soldier on his knee in viral photo didn't fire any shots - Commander

Ejura Shootings: Soldier on his knee in viral photo didn't fire any shots - Commander

  • The soldier seen on his knee in a viral photo during the Ejura disturbance reportedly did not fire any shot as was purported
  • Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah, Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion made the assertion whilst speaking to the committee probing the incident
  • He added that kneeling is part of a tactic by security personnel to disperse a crowd

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah, Commanding Officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion says the military officer seen kneeling in viral photos and videos during the Ejura protest did not fire any shots as many believed.

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, security personnel shot and killed two people among some young people demonstrating as part of their quest to ask for answers following the death of activist, Ibrahim' Kaaka' Mohammed.

Read also

Collins Adomako Mensah: Presence of powerful Chinese 'galamseyers' is real; I was forced to vacate my seat for some of them at a Kumasi pub

Speaking before a committee probing the killings, Peprah claimed the yet-to-be-identified soldier did not fire at anyone when he kneeled as many stated based on the videos shared online.

Ejura Shootings: Soldier on his knees didn't fire any shots - Commander
Ejura Shootings: Soldier on his knee in the viral photo didn't fire any shots - Commander. Photo source: @sweet_maame_adwoa
Source: Instagram

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see YEN.com.gh News on your News Feed!

The committee probing the incident is made up of George Kingsley Koomson, a Justice of the Court of Appeal as Chairman, Security Expert, Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, and Juliet Amoah, Executive Director of Penplusbyte, a civil society organization.

Taking his turn before the committee on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Lt. Col. Kwasi Ware Peprah said the soldier in the viral photo was only following standard procedure.

"There is a procedure in dispersing crowds. The first is a verbal warning. The second is to cork your weapons to signal to the crowd that you are about to fire. The third is to fire warning shots but the signal to scare them includes kneeling. To aim, for you to be scared and maybe disperse," said Peprah.

Read also

Kan Dapaah: I am surprised Airport Security Officer was interdicted; he didn't disrespect me

"As a matter of fact, the direction of the man who knelt was such that no casualty came from that side. He didn't fire. He didn't fire. He fired only warning shots but when he went down, he didn't fire."

Skip to 1 hour 8 seconds to watch Lt. Col. Peprah address the 'kneeling' issue

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see YEN.com.gh News on your News Feed!

Background

Ibrahim Muhammed, the 40-year-old father of six, was murdered in cold blood by unknown persons outside his residence at Ejura in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Sahada Hudu, the deceased's wife, said he had received warnings regarding his activism from a person she knows. She said her attempts to stop him from getting himself in danger proved futile as he continued with his advocacy.

Following his death, the youth of Ejura embarked on a demonstration seeking answers from authorities.

Read also

Akufo-Addo’s lawyer Akoto Ampaw, Samson Ayenini, and Kofi Bentil protest against corruption among government officials

It ended in a shooting by security personnel and the death of two people.

Following the death of the two, President Akufo-Addo directed the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery to investigate the incident.

Ambrose Dery, therefore, set up a three-member committee to probe the incident that caused the death of the two young many with many others injured.

Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
G. Hamelo avatar

G. Hamelo A curious Ghanaian writer. His writings have appeared in a variety of print and digital publications.