GAF probe soldiers for brutalizing boy, 16

GAF probe soldiers for brutalizing boy, 16

The Ghana Armed Forces have begun a probe into how a 16-year-old boy was beaten to pulp by two soldiers for allegedly stealing a mobile phone.

The victim, Christopher Bitah was tortured for more than five hours at a military barracks in Tamale in the Northern region.

Two soldiers, frustrated that they could not find a Techno phone at Kamina Barracks in Tamale on April 4, seized Christopher’s motorbike who had returned from fetching water for them.

According to reports, they warned him to return a phone they claim was left on a table.

Despite the denial, his oral defence pleading innocence was taken as an insult to the soldier's military intelligence, his brother explained.

Christopher was handcuffed to a mango tree where the soldiers rolled out a torture therapy that began with beating him in rapid turns. 

This has generated a lot of controversy in the country with calling for the head of the two soldiers.

In response, the Director of Public Relations at the Ghana Armed Forces, Colonel Eric Aggrey Quarshie said they have begun an independent investigation into the matter.

He noted that, Corporal Samson Attuahene, Collins Agyei Boamah and a third person of 6th Battalion of Infantry are in military detention, the police claim.

Colonel Aggrey Quarshie added the soldiers involved will be punished if found culpable of the crime.

As an immediate measure, a military delegation picked up the victim in an ambulance and has been sent to the Korle Bu teaching hospital for medical attention.

But, Richard Kombian, the victim's brother in an interview on Adom News said  the extent of internal damage has affected his brains and his vital organs.

“It has affected him not only physically, but psychologically…hmm”, the Super Morning Show presenter sighed.

He also revealed that the predictable feet dragging by the police and the military in Tamale since the April 4 incident has left him footing the bill at the hospital in Tamale, the transport to Accra and medical test in Accra.

“I have nothing with me. I have sold everything in my room but still he is on his sick bed. We are not on insurance. Everything is buy and buy..lab test, drugs everything, even what you eat sef is buy and buy”.

Meanwhile, after several scans, the doctors say Christopher's mind is not normal, his kidney is damaged and some internal organs may also have been hurt in the 5-hour merciless beating. Chris cannot urinate.

source:kulenunewsblog