Media consultant and host of ‘Good Morning Ghana’, Randy Abbey, says intelligence picked by security agencies in Ejura of a possible rampage should have enabled them to put in measures to prevent the subsequent mayhem on June 29.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, he said the key significance of intel is to prevent casualties.
Mr Abbey questioned why the said intelligence picked failed to assist the police in preparing adequately before meeting the youth who hit the streets to demand justice for the slain activist.
“I am kind of surprised that I keep hearing ‘we picked intelligence, we had intelligence’. Yet, that kind of intelligence could not lead the authorities to put in measures to prevent the rioting or clash. One of the benefits of intelligence is to avert or prevent something.
“So if we keep hearing we picked intelligence, what did we do with the intelligence? If we had intelligence that people were going out, and you obviously should have put in place measures to prevent what occurred,” he told Samson Lardy Anyenini on Saturday.
His comments come as a response to testimony made by the Ashanti Regional Minister and the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejura, who informed the three-member Committee probing the Ejura killings that they received intel of a possible rampage on Tuesday, June 29.
According to MCE Mohammed Salisu Bamba, the intelligence resulted in him and the security heads reaching out to the Divisional Command for support.
“I was informed that the security had picked intelligence that there was going to be an attack and other vandalism in town.
“That evening, all the security heads, the BNI, the Crime Officer and the Police were all at the Police station. I was the only person who was away. So we were in constant touch with each other that evening.
“I and the security heads agreed that we should call for support through the Divisional Command looking at what happened that evening. After the discussion, I followed up with a call to the Divisional Police Command to assist us with some security on the ground to make sure everything is in order.
“Around 11 pm, I had information that some Policemen had arrived with a water cannon. Few minutes after the decision, I had information again that the Military had also arrived. We were asked to support with accommodation,” he narrated.
Source: myjoyonline.com
