Police in Tamale have confirmed the arrest of one of five suspects in connection with the torture of a 15-year old Junior High School (JHS) pupil of one of the basic schools within the Tamale Metropolis who was subjected to torture with a hot electric iron by some residents of Tishegu, for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.
Outgoing Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) ASP Ebenezer Tetteh said 26-year old Razak Issan was arrested in a swoop last Friday night at Tishegu after several failed attempts to arrest the perpetrators behind the crime.
He revealed that hat four persons were arrested in the swoop but only Razak Issan was later identified by the victim as one of the four persons who tortured him but has since been granted bail to assist police with investigations.
It would be recalled how the victim was subjected to inhumane treatment by the suspect and his accomplices after he was alleged to have stolen a mobile phone
According to the victim, he was subjected to the inhumane treatment with the plugged iron after the aggrieved residents numbering five mostly youth of the area, subjected him to severe beatings to compel him confess to committing the crime.
Mohammed Abdul-Rahman’s crime had been that, he was accused of stealing a mobile phone belonging to one of them but denied any knowledge
“I was with my peers when the young men accosted me and accused me of stealing their mobile phone which I vehemently denied. They beat me up and sent him to a Mallam where I was proven not guilty. Still not convinced by the pronouncement of the Mallam, I received more beatings and locked me up in a nearby shop overnight where I was burnt with a hot iron at my back and on my chest”, he disclosed his ordeal to Tamale-based Filla Fm.
Mother of the victim has since lodged a complaint with the Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.