The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are calling for a thorough and independent probe into the death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, as well as the immediate removal of Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken over the Force’s shoddy probe into the initial missing person’s report that was filed.

The 11-year-old was found dead in the pool of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen this morning, less than 24 hours after she was reported missing.

 She was at the hotel with her grandmother and other relatives at the time of her disappearance. Her death has led to massive protests in Tuschen, with the hotel and the properties of its owners being completely gutted.

At the scene of the protest, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton told reporters that it is clear the Guyana Police Force has been compromised. He said there must be an independent probe.

“Really and truly, you need an independent operation, in which, regardless of who commits the crime, they (the police) can access the CCTV and ensure that justice is done. At this stage, all we can do here is press to ensure that there is a proper investigation and those who have committed the crime are brought to justice,” Norton told reporters.

Norton said perpetrators of crimes believe they can get away with anything because the Police Force appears compromised.

“Generally, the approach of the Government to the police and law enforcement has created a situation where people believe they can commit crimes and get away with it. Now, we should never arrive at the point where people have got to come out and protest. There should be a situation where a crime is reported, the police should have the power to investigate independently, and then based on the facts at their disposal, follow the facts and bring people to justice. Unfortunately, that is not happening in the country,” Norton said.

Opposition MP, Amanza Walton-Desir also joined her party leader in issuing a call for the Top Cop to step down. She said the time for talk is now over and there must be accountability.

“I think the Guyanese people are tired of talking and the Guyanese people are tired of excuses. The Guyanese people need action from the Government. Within the last month, the Police have clearly demonstrated that they cannot be trusted, and if you can’t trust the Police, what’s going to happen to the citizens. It’s not about theories and investigations, Irfaan Ali must act. Clifton Hicken must be removed”, Walton-Desir said.

In a statement, the AFC also demanded an independent probe, adding that the Commissioner of Police should be removed from office.

“The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling for the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of Region 3 and an independent investigation into the disturbing events surrounding the disappearance and tragic death of 11-year-old Andrianna Younge,” the party said in a statement.

It said the “highly suspicious circumstances” under which Younge was found dead, the sequence of events and the evolving police narrative have all raise serious red flags.

The Guyana Police Force, in its initial statement, said surveillance footage viewed by the police showed Younge leaving the hotel’s premises in a red and black car, however, today, hours after her body was discovered  in the hotel’s pool, it admitted that its initial statement was flawed. But suggested that it to do with its internal communication processes. 

“If the police statement is confirmed, then it would seem that, at the highest level, they were part of a conspiracy – or at the lowest, grossly incompetent. This was a crime scene yesterday, which means they had control of the location through the night. The body could not magically appear in broad daylight. The Police Force has now established a pattern of issuing misleading information to the public. We must begin with the removal of the Commissioner of Police and escalate our call to include the Minister of Home Affairs if accountability is not forthcoming,” Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes said.

He said the situation reflects a growing crisis in public safety and institutional trust.

“It is not the first time that families, particularly those from marginalized communities, have been left without answers or justice,” he said.

The AFC is demanding full transparency, noting that silence and spin are no longer acceptable.

Both the AFC and the PNCR have expressed sadness at the death of Younge, and have expressed their condolences to her family and friends.

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