Policeman’s gun kills rider over GH¢10 dispute

The Gbintiri community is demanding an independent probe after a fatal checkpoint shooting.

A 51-year-old pillion rider, Mawutor Banakar, died last Wednesday after he was shot during an encounter with a police officer at a checkpoint in Gbintiri, East Mamprusi Municipality. The incident has heightened tensions in the community as eyewitness accounts conflict with the police version of events.

Residents told reporters that Banakar and a companion were travelling from Gaboni in the Northern Region to the Gbintiri market when officers at the checkpoint repeatedly demanded GH¢10 before allowing them to proceed. The riders reportedly questioned the demand, which led to a heated argument.

According to witnesses, one of the officers opened fire during the confrontation, fatally wounding Banakar. The Assembly Member for the Gbintiri Electoral Area, Manla Gbenja, said he received similar reports from locals. “I understand the police officers demanded GH¢10 from the riders, but they insisted they could offer only GH¢5, which infuriated the officers, resulting in the confrontations and the shooting incident,” he claimed.

Angry residents have condemned the action and called for an independent investigation. One local who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We are tired of the constant demands for money at the checkpoint. They stop everyone, especially market women, and ask for money before allowing us to pass.” Another resident said: “What happened to Mawutor is painful and unacceptable. We want justice to be served, and the officer responsible must be punished.”

The North East Regional Police Command has provided a different account. The Public Affairs Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Robert Anabiik Anmain, said preliminary investigations indicate the deceased became involved in a struggle with an officer over the latter’s firearm.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the officers were on duty at a checkpoint when two men on a motorbike arrived.

During a search, the pillion rider, now deceased, suddenly became furious and held the weapon of one of the officers in an attempt to snatch it from him,” he narrated.

DSP Anmain said the weapon discharged during the struggle, hitting the pillion rider in the upper arm; Banakar was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. He added that the officer involved sustained bruises and that his uniform was torn.

The officer implicated in the shooting has been taken into custody to assist with investigations. Community leaders and residents have appealed to the Police Administration and the Ministry for the Interior to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Banakar’s death.