Mpraeso, (E/R) Nov. 21, GNA - Seven out of the 15 inmates in lawful custody in the Mpraeso police cells have escaped after assaulting two police personnel on duty last Thursday night. One of them had, however, been arrested while efforts were being made by the police to re-arrest the others.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Mpraeso, on Monday, the Mpraeso District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ben Wonkyi, said at about 1930 hours on November 17, 2005, the Counter Non-Commission Officer (NCO)Corporal Christian Okrah, who was on duty at the police station, opened the main door of the cells to offer some food to the inmates.

He said as soon as the inmates got hold of the food (kenkey and pepper), they poured the pepper on the face of Corporal Okrah and hit his forehead with an object before coming out to assault Constable Naomi Boateng at the Counter, who was also hit on the neck and chest with a metal, before escaping.

The District Police Commander said the escaped inmates, who were remanded by the Mpraeso Circuit Court, were standing trial on stealing charges, while eight others with robbery charges failed to abscond. He said the Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the escape of the inmates and appealed for assistance and co-operation from the general public for the re-arrest and trial of the inmates.