The Ghana Police Service has arrested Sibamay Zakaria, the man captured in a viral video assaulting an arrested suspect, following a manhunt launched after the footage triggered public outrage.
Zakaria is in police custody assisting investigations and is expected to be put before the court, the Police said.
But the arrest has opened a wider investigation into how civilians gained access to a person who was already in custody and whether police personnel enabled or tolerated the breach.
The Interior Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has consequently directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to establish the circumstances under which the civilians gained access to the arrested person and identify any police officers who facilitated, permitted or acquiesced in the breach.
Any officer found culpable is to face appropriate disciplinary action.
The Minister has also ordered the Police to immediately identify, arrest and investigate the other civilians involved in the assault.
Supervising officers directly responsible for the custody and supervision of the persons involved have equally been ordered to explain their roles.
The Police Professional Standards Bureau is conducting the internal investigation, while the Service says all persons found culpable will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary processes.
The directives follow an earlier statement by the Police condemning the assault and announcing a manhunt for the individual captured in the video.
The Interior Minister has further ordered that all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents be dealt with strictly according to law, without fear or favour.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
