Deputy Interior Minister-designate, Henry Quartey, has promised severe sanctions against members of the NPP-affiliated vigilante groups, Delta Force and Invincible Forces, following last Friday’s attack.
He also promised to deal with the activities of all other vigilante groups in the country threatening the rule of law and the country’s peace.
Mr. Quartey gave the assurance when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointment Committee Monday to be screened for his portfolio.
“We will ensure that the appropriate sanctions are applied. The people of this country must be protected. Properties must be protected. Lives must be protected,” he said, promising to assist the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery and other state agencies, to fight the menace of vigilante groups.
Over 200 members of Delta Force stormed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council on Friday and violently attack the Regional Security Coordinator, George Agyei, over his appointment.
The group claims the Coordinator did not play any role in the struggle to bring the NPP to power.
They argue that one of their members, a man identified only as Mohammed, was more suited for the job of Regional Security Coordinator.
The police have since arrested five members of the group.
The men arrested include, Kwadwo Fosu Bamba (‘Commander’ of the group), Awal Sadat Abubakar, Abubakar Sadiq Abdul Hameed, Jamil Issah, and Hamza Mohammed.
Apology to President
Meanwhile, the ‘Commander’ of Delta Force, Kwadwo Fosu Bemba, has since apologised to President Nana Akufo-Addo and members of the party for last Friday’s incident.
Shortly after his release on Monday, he told Accra-based Citi FM, “we are begging the President…we are waiting for anything the President will say. We are ready to obey our President. I feel bad about the whole incident and I wish it will not happen again.”
The activities of political party-affiliated vigilante groups have been a persistent problem that threatens the country’s democratic dispensation.
There have been calls for them to be disbanded, but the lack of political will has meant promises by past governments failed to put a stop to the problem.
In the past, the National Democratic Congress (NDC)-affiliated ‘Azorka Boys’ have clashed with security agencies to register their discontent with a government decision.
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