Mis-identity: Mop gruesomely murders Army Captain in Ghana

Late Captain Maxwell Mahama.

Death is indeed an inescapable phenomenon, even though no one wants to die, neither do we know how, when or where we are going to obey the call of nature. A tragic and gruesome murder of a Ghanaian Army Captain, Maxwell Mahama has surfaced online.

Captain Maxwell Mahama who was mistakenly taken for a petty thief met his death at dawn on Monday when he went jogging in a town called Denkyira Obuasi located in Ghana’s Central region.

The slain soldier was detailed by the army to the area to protect a local mine.

President Nana Akufo-Addo via his twitter platform has given assurances that the death will not go unpunished.

My condolences to the family of Captain Maxwell Mahama on their tragic loss. (1/3)

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 30, 2017

I assure them that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country. (2/3)

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 30, 2017

No one involved in his murder will go free. (3/3)

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 30, 2017

The death has sparked outrage in the country with various civil society groups condemning the killing and calling for perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The incident has rekindled the issue of security and the need to follow the law in dealing with suspects.

Ghanaians on social media continue talks about instant/mob justice and its demerits. Members of Parliament have also joined calls for speedy investigations into the incident.

Meanwhile the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) whiles calling for calm among its rank and file has deployed men to the town to investigate the death.

Though such criminal investigations are in the hands of the police, the GAF said in a statement that the Army Chief was leading a fact-finding mission to the area.

“A high-powered fact-finding team led by the Chief of the Army Staff is proceeding to the scene of the incident to ascertain the facts of the case… In the meantime, our troops have been urged to remain calm whilst action is being taken to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to book,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile some residents are fleeing the town over fears of reprisal attacks by the army. A local council head, known as Assembly man, who is said to have instigated the attack is at large.

The local government head, the District Chief Executive, also told the media that rampaging soldiers had taken about 80 men hostage while women and children have been held up in a church in the town.

See reactions/condolences below: