But for the timely intervention of colleague security personnel who came to the officer’s rescue, Kombian would not have ceased pummelling the poor soldier who lay helplessly on the ground.
According to reports, Kombian claimed he was drunk at the time, and so did not know what prompted him to beat up the soldier in that manner. He is said to have been charged for assaulting a public officer and resisting arrest. According to the facts of the case, officers on patrol duties during curfew hours at Bunkpurugu heard a strange noise from a particular direction and drove towards the area to find out what was going on.
On reaching the spot, they spotted three young men but two immediately fled on seeing the patrol vehicle approaching. However the third man mustered courage and stayed behind.
The police and military team, upon arrival, interrogated him on why he was outside during curfew hours. He allegedly explained that the previous night thieves had broken into his store and made away with some of his wares.
He was therefore keeping watch over the kiosk to avert a repeat of what had happened. He is said to have pleaded with the patrol team to allow him spend the rest of the night under the shed.
Whilst the security personnel were still trying to educate the shop owner on the need for him to go home for his own safety, Joseph Kombian emerged from the dark and without provocation subjected the poor soldier to a number of hefty slaps which landed the victim on the ground.
In an attempt to arrest him, he reportedly resisted but was eventually overpowered and handed over to the police and arraigned before court.
In his caution statement he pleaded with the investigator to temper justice with mercy, claiming he acted under the influence of alcohol and could not figure out what came over him to commit such a crime.
He has since been remanded in prison custody by a Nalerigu Magistrate Court, which was presided over by Robert Agbleze, in the East Mamprusi District, to reappear in two weeks time.
The soldier reportedly sustained minor bruises, and has since been treated and discharged from the Bunkpurugu clinic.
From Stephen Zoure, Tamale
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