Police arrest 38 people in Asamankese Chieftaincy violence

About 38 thugs have been arrested by Police in Asamankese in the Eastern region in a renewed chieftaincy dispute.

The suspects were arrested Monday, December 20, 2021, after thugs allegedly hired by a faction in a local chieftaincy dispute Barima Pobi Asomaning besieged the Asamankese palace amidst firing of warning shots to aid the performance of traditional rites for his enstoolment as a parallel Chief.

The armed thugs at about 7:00 am outnumbered police officers on duty at the chief’s palace and violently invaded the palace amidst the firing of gunshots.

Nine (9) civilians were injured and rushed to Asamankese Government Hospital.

Reinforcement led by the District Commander responded to the scene and arrested 38 suspects who were detained at Asamankese Police station.

Police also found a slaughtered sheep.

The Police also retrieved and seized 52 AA spent shells, one sidearm with 2 loaded magazines, one pump action gun was from the Suspects.

Another reinforcement team (Counter Terrorism Unit) personnel from the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, as well as a team from Oda Divisional Command also arrived at the scene to restore calm.

The palace is currently under heavy security guard while patrols intensified in the Asamankese township.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh who was at the scene with the reinforcement team said the area was relatively calm, however, police presence will be maintained in the township.

He said the suspects arrested were being transferred to the Regional Police Headquarters to assist the investigation.