Six injured as man who claims to be an EOCO ‘Task Force Officer’ fired shots at fire scene

A man who allegedly fired indiscriminately while Ghana National Fire Service personnel were battling a blaze at Madina Redco on August 3 has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.

Mustapha Iddrisu Danlad’s actions are said to have left six people injured after they were struck by pellets from his pump-action shotgun.

Danlad, who claims to be a Task Force Officer with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), has been charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm without authority, possession of a firearm without lawful authority, and three counts of causing harm. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The court ordered that Danlad be remanded into police custody to reappear on September 25, 2025.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Daniel Danku told the court that the complainant in the case was the Madina Divisional Police Command.

According to the prosecution, officers from the Madina Command responded to a fire outbreak at Redco Flats around 1:00 p.m. on August 3. While assisting fire personnel at the scene, a misunderstanding reportedly occurred between Danlad and a group of bystanders.

Although the situation was initially calmed, Danlad allegedly left the scene, only to return with a pump-action gun. Without provocation, he began firing indiscriminately, causing panic as people fled both the fire and the gunfire.

In the process, six people were hit by pellets and were rushed to hospital. Some were treated and discharged, while others were referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The court heard that after the incident, Danlad went into hiding. He was later arrested by police at Madina Redco around 5:00 a.m. on September 12. In his caution statement, he reportedly admitted the offence.