Akyem Kotoku in violent chieftaincy dispute

Renewed violence erupted between the two factions in the Akyem Kotoku chieftaincy dispute on Saturday.

Three persons, including the Oda Municipal Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr. Issah Mohammed Cantona, sustained gunshot wounds.

ASP Cantona, whose right chest was grazed by a bullet, has been treated and discharged, while Kwame Mintah, 35, and Daniel Amponsah, 21, are still on admission at the Oda Government Hospital.

The stray bullet which was buried in ASP Cantona’s chest has been removed.

In the course of the exchanges between the Attafuah and the Frimpong-Manso factions, a mob threw petrol bombs at the palace of the Krontihene and the Adontenhene, two divisional chiefs of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, but a hurriedly organized rescue mission managed to put out the fire.

However, another petrol bomb targeted at a drinking spot belonging to Madam Akua Henewah partly burnt the spot.

Mr. Nicolas Abrokwah and his wife, Madam Grace Obia, were not so lucky, as another petrol bomb thrown at their kiosk and a bedroom burnt their property completely.

Briefing the Daily Graphic in Akyem Oda Sunday, ASP Cantona said between 7:00p.m. and 7:30 p.m. last Saturday, the Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso IV, who is resident in the USA, decided to travel to Oda to celebrate the Akwasidae Festival on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

When he arrived at the Omanhene’s Palace, members of the Frempong Manso faction jubilated, while members of the Attafuah faction were angry because they did not recognize Oseadeeyo Frempong Manso as the rightful Omanhene, since the Supreme Court had withdrawn his gazette.

The situation degenerated into violence, with the factions throwing stones and firing gunshots at each other. As a result, two people sustained gunshot wounds in front of the Omanhene’s Palace.

When a report on the incident reached the police, ASP Cantona led a team of policemen to the area to maintain law and order. It was in the process of maintaining order that a bullet hit the police commander’s right chest.

The police team then called for re-enforcement from the military and the police, who responded immediately to assist to maintain law and order.

The two injured persons were carried to the Oda Government Hospital and admitted for treatment.

ASP Cantona also followed to the hospital for treatment.

Nobody has been arrested yet but the military and the police are patrolling the town to prevent any further nasty incidents. – Daily Graphic

Posted by admin on May 28 2012. Filed under African News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry