A 30-year-old mechanic, Bilal Mohammed, and his 23-year-old apprentice, Ibrahim Issah, have accused individuals identified as National Security operatives of assaulting them during a vehicle towing exercise at Kwashieman in Accra.
The alleged incident occurred on Thursday after the two men reportedly protested against the removal and towing of vehicles parked along Nmane Street 9, close to their workshop.
According to the two complainants, about 20 men wearing vests marked “National Security” allegedly attacked them with long metal wire cables.
Bilal reportedly suffered lacerations on his back, cuts to his forehead and head, and an injury to his right eye. His eye was said to have been bloodstained following the alleged assault. Ibrahim also sustained injuries, including deep cuts to his back.
Complaint Lodged With Police
Following the incident, Bilal lodged a complaint at the Hong Kong Police Station, located off the George Walker Bush Highway. Police subsequently issued him a medical form to seek treatment at Mab International Hospital at Nyamekye, near Lapaz.
Speaking to The Ghanaian Times, Bilal alleged that the attackers also took his mobile phone and money during the incident.
He further claimed that officials from the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly had visited the area a day earlier and collected various amounts from mechanics and vehicle owners, totalling approximately GH¢7,000, before leaving.
According to Bilal, the Assembly officials returned the following day with National Security operatives to tow vehicles from the area.
He said he and other mechanics appealed to the team to show restraint, but his continued protest allegedly angered some of the operatives, leading to the assault.
Apprentice Allegedly Handcuffed and Beaten
Ibrahim separately alleged that the operatives handcuffed him and whipped him with metal cables after he used his mobile phone to record the incident.
He claimed that the men later forced him to disclose his phone password and deleted videos he had recorded before releasing him.
Ibrahim said the alleged assault had left him traumatised and caused deep lacerations to his back.
Police Begin Investigation
The Station Officer at the Hong Kong Police Station, Chief Inspector Bismark Selasi Doamekpor, confirmed that a complaint had been filed and that the matter was under investigation.
He also confirmed that the medical form issued to Bilal had been endorsed by a medical doctor at Mab International Hospital.
Chief Inspector Doamekpor assured that anyone found responsible would be arrested and dealt with according to Ghanaian law.
He added that the complainant had informed police that he could identify some of the suspects and would assist investigators with the ongoing inquiry.
The case has renewed attention on vehicle towing exercises, alleged police and security-related abuses, public enforcement operations and the protection of citizens’ rights in Ghana.
Source: newsthemegh.com