THE alleged murderer, Benlord Ababio, also known as Nana Barima Ababio, reportedly fired nine shots at Lance Corporal Michael Danso, resulting in his tragic death, the family members of the deceased soldier revealed.
The incident occurred near the Central East Regional Police Command in Millennium City, Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region, sparking panic and tension in the area.
They lamented the lack of courage displayed by the officers, who failed to rush to the scene and rescue Lance Corporal Michael Danso, a military officer stationed at the Army Base workshop in Burma Camp.
They reiterated Lance Corporal Michael Danso, along with his colleagues Lance Corporal Abdul Omar Rahman and Lance Corporal Ametus Mathew, had visited the Millennium City Police station aboard a Toyota Rav4 with Reg. No. 3591-24 to report a case of trespass prior to the unfortunate incident.
Aggrieved family members of Lance Corporal Michael Danso expressed disappointment in the police officers on duty at the Central East Regional Police Command before the tragic event unfolded on April 30, 2024.
The traditions followed as the aggrieved gathered to perform the necessary rituals to officially release the soul of Lance Corporal Michael Danso, who was shot to death by an individual identified as Benlord Ababio at Millennium City.
The principal elders and heads of the Kwesi Kani family at Kyebi in the Eastern Region stormed Millennium City at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, to invoke curses on Kwesi Alhaji and other suspected individuals alleged to have killed Lance Corporal Michael Danso.
Amidst the beating of war drums and singing of war songs, the members of the Kwesi Kani family at Kyebi, joined by some chiefs and elders of Gomoa Nyanyano led by the Ankobeahene Nana Ayikoi I, poured libation to mark the one-week celebration of the soldier’s killing at the scene of the incident near the Central East Regional Police Command at Millennium City.
Some family members, including the wailing mother of the deceased soldier, also invoked curses on individuals they believe killed Lance Corporal Michael Danso.
They poured libations with Schnapp drinks and ordinary water, calling upon their deities and ancestors to deal with those involved and alleged to be operating under ‘orders from above’ to kill their beloved son.
Prior to the event, the principal elders and heads of the Kwesi Kani family at Kyebi held a meeting with the police chiefs of the Central East Regional Police Command to brief them on the rituals they intended to perform at the scene of the incident.
Addressing a crowded press conference amidst tears and wailing at Millennium City, the head of the Kwesi Kani family at Kyebi, Nana Yaw Boakye Ofori Atta, on behalf of the family, stated their demand for the police to arrest Kwesi Alhaji, the second suspect in the killing of Lance Corporal Michael Danso, before the soldier’s burial.
“We are giving a two-week ultimatum to the national security agencies and police to apprehend Kwesi Alhaji and other alleged killers of Lance Corporal Michael Danso near the Central East Police Headquarters at Millennium City,” the family declared.
However, all partie, that is the investigative and prosecutorial team of the Ghana Police Service, our respectful court system, Attorney General's Office and ever the penitentiaries where these criminals are incarcerated, should make sure that we atone for every drop of Michael's blood, by ensuring that alleged slaughter-happy thugs like Benlord Ababio are subjected to, not just the full rigours of the law, but also the expeditious delivery of it, so that the exhibition of such barbaric behaviour will never be occasioned again here or anywhere in Ghana," they stressed.
They also emphasized their desire for Kwesi Alhaji’s arrest for questioning, citing his alleged connection to the prime suspect, Benlord Ababio.
They expressed their wish for their ancestors and the spirit of the deceased soldier to punish any lawyer who would be paid by the suspects to defend them in court, stressing the unbearable devastation caused by the murder.
Furthermore, they highlighted the broader issue of land disputes in Millennium City and the apparent inadequacy of law enforcement agencies in addressing the menace of land guards in the area and across the country.
Flanked by Abusuapani Kofi Akom of Kyebi, Nana Yaw Boakye Ofori Atta clarified that the suspect, reportedly a chief in the area, is not recognized in the register of Chiefs in the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area.
He identified Benlord Ababio as a ranking member of a landguard syndicate in Gomoa Fetteh, in violation of the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036), which criminalizes “landguardism” in Ghana.
He urged National Security Agencies to address the threats posed by landguards and restore peace to the area swiftly.
Additionally, he called upon the media to investigate and expose all wrongdoing related to the issue.
The Chief Executive of the 21st Century Estate, Mr. Kofi Asmah, expressed condolences to the family of the late Lance Corporal Michael Danso and decried the increasing attacks on genuine land developers by hired land guards in Millennium City, lamenting the detrimental impact of land-guard activities on real estate business.
He appealed to Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the shooting and killing incidents at Millennium City and its adjoining communities, urging proactive measures to arrest the perpetrators and restore peace to the area.
Mr. Asmah criticized the alleged collusion between police officers in the area and Kwasi Alhaji, stressing the urgent need for government intervention to prevent further loss of life and business disruption caused by hired land guards.
He emphasized the necessity for government intervention to prevent further loss of life and business disruption caused by hired land guards in the community.