Police, military save chief from being lynched

The timely intervention by policemen, from the Oda Divisional Police Command, and soldiers from the Jungle Warfare School (JWS) at Akyem Achiase Monday saved the Omanhene of the Akyem Bosome Traditional Area, Okotwareasuo Oworae Agyekum III, from being lynched by an irate mob.
The mob, numbering more than 500, allegedly slaughtered a ram to signify the destoolment of the Omanhene.
A member of the mob allegedly wounded the paramount chief on the left side of his forehead with a stool.

According to the Akyem Swedru District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Abotsi, around 6.30 a.m. yesterday, the police had information that there was a problem at the Omanhene's palace at Akyem Swedru so they went to the scene to contain the situation.

He said on reaching the place, the police saw a mob, backed by a brass band, chanting war songs in front of the palace.
ASP Abotsi stated that when the police entered the palace, they saw a number of people loyal to the Omanhene guarding the place.

He said before the police entered the palace, the mob had slaughtered the ram in the presence of Okotwareasuo Agyekum III and attempted to forcibly remove his native sandals to signify his destoolment and when the Omanhene resisted, one of the people hit him on the forehead with a stool.
ASP Abotsi, who sensed danger, called for police reinforcement from the Oda Divisional Police Command and the JWS at Achiase, which responded immediately with 25 policemen and 33 soldiers to restore order.

He said the police/military team dispersed the mob and rescued the Omanhene, who had been locked up in a room by his supporters to prevent his enemies from lynching him.
The district commander said the soldiers whisked Okotwareasuo Agyekum in their vehicle to the JWS Clinic for medical attention and for his own safety.

He said further police investigations revealed that the Krontihene of the Akyem Bosome Traditional Area, Nana Nyantakyi Amponsem II, and the Ahenenapahene, Nana Gyapong Ahenkorah, had been the architects behind the mob action.
ASP Abotsi stated that the two suspects had been arrested to assist the police in their investigations.

Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana

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