Residents of Gbi Wegbe, Avega, and Godonu in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region have taken to the streets to demand justice for the fatal shooting of two young men, David Agbebianu and Afeti Agbeko, by the Hohoe Police last year. In light of this tragedy, they are urgently appealing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to expedite compensation for the families of the victims, who lost their lives in the August incident.
The youth of the area held a solemn march through the streets of Gbi township, culminating in a press conference where they commemorated the one-year anniversary of the deaths of the two men. According to reports from last year, police officers from the Hohoe Police Command had pursued a man named Tsetse Enyonam, now deceased, from Gbi-Avega towards Godonu. During the chase, the police vehicle reportedly lost control, veered off the road, flipped over, and caught fire. In the aftermath, the police allegedly went on a rampage, torturing civilians, looting shops, and burning around 45 motorcycles belonging to local youth. During this chaotic event, David Agbebianu and Afeti Agbeko were shot and killed, while several other innocent community members were injured.
One year later, the spokesperson for the youth, Andy Emilson Agbi, expressed frustration that the police have yet to address the situation. The bodies of the deceased remain in the mortuary, and authorities have remained silent. Agbi criticized the police administration for failing to communicate with the local chiefs and elders about their investigations into the police misconduct, a failure that has strained relations between the community and the police.
Agbi, who also serves as an Assembly member for Gbi Wegbe, emphasized the importance of the police administration taking steps to arrange for the burial of the deceased and compensating their grieving families, who are still traumatized by the incident. He called on the IGP to ensure that those responsible for the violence are held accountable and face the full extent of the law, serving as a deterrent to others.
He also lamented the inaction of authorities, noting that the widows and children of the deceased are in dire circumstances. He added that the police, who looted shops and burned numerous motorcycles on that tragic day, have yet to provide any restitution.
During the protest, residents wore red and black clothing and red armbands, carrying placards with messages such as “One year remembrance walk for justice,” “Justice for David and Afeti, police must stop shooting and killing innocent people,” “No justice, no vote,” and “Police professionalism in shooting is questionable,” among others.
