Eunice Yeboah a.k.a. Ama Broni, aged 22 is dead victim of an illegal weapon in the hands of hoodlums celebrating a marriage reception in Nima, Accra. Arrant crap!
It was an incident which shows how everybody is vulnerable as acquisition of firearms clandestinely by reckless and criminal-minded youth in our midst.
The sad incident which occurred last Sunday has left her friends and family expectedly shattered.
We share in the pain of the family and demand justice for young Eunice, a lady who we have learnt was an orphan. Why should this act of indiscipline lead to the death of a lady who had nothing to do with the marriage ceremony? Why should there be firing of weapons at a wedding in the first place?
It is instructive to point out that firearm firing during marriage ceremonies in Nima is becoming a feature of the social activity in this sprawling suburb of Accra and constitutes a perpetual danger to everybody.
It is disappointing to also learn that this part of the nation’s capital has over the years become associated with criminalities one of which was palpably displayed last Sunday and which claimed the innocent lady’s life.
The reckless and illegal use of firearms by some youth in Nima and the prevailing general indiscipline has led to the stereotyping of residents of this part of Accra. There are ladies and gentlemen in this part of the city who shun the negative conduct of the bad elements.
The Nima Divisional Police Commander we have learnt intends meeting tribal chiefs and opinion leaders in the area to have them stop the inappropriate conduct by the youth.
While we appreciate his interest in reversing the negativities associated with Nima, we would not hesitate to tell him that it would not yield any dividend.
The chiefs, elders and opinion leaders have no influence on the youth. Engaging them therefore, is counterproductive we dare point out and so the police should look for a better alternative. Were the tribal chiefs of any use in this regard the hoodlums would not have resorted to the use of firearms in such reckless manner. They could also have turned in the suspects to the police. They would rather intervene when the suspects are picked up.
While one theory has it that the young lady was a passerby and was hit when an excited young man fired into the air another claimed she was running when the round hit her and could have been aimed at.
Be it as it may, the law enforcement agents understand the subject better being professionals. They must first arrest the suspects and let that provide the important deterrence for others who play the same weapon game during marriage receptions to change course.
The country and the family of the slain lady, especially, demand justice; we do not doubt the capacity of the police to lead us to this end.
The police know how to get the prime suspects who can lead them to the source of the crime. Pushing this issue under the carpet for want of the arrest of the suspect is not an option and would encourage the hoodlums to continue the firing recreation during marriage receptions.
Criminals should not be allowed to look invincible in this country. Let all help the police to track the suspects down.
We are disappointed when unfortunately elders in such areas as Nima would shield criminals and refuse to cooperate with the law enforcement agents to pick up such hoodlums.
We shall return to this subject until then all with information about the suspects should contact the police.