Ashanti Police Arrest Nine Persons Over Kumawu Riot 


The police in the Ashanti region have arrested nine persons in connection a recent disturbances that resulted in injuries to police personnel alike. 

The nine, who are currently in Police custody, include Barimah Tweneboah Kodua V, the 59-year old rival claimant to the Kumawu paramount stool in the Ashanti region. 

The others are Michael Akuoko also known as Candy, Emmanuel Banfoh Datus, Yaw Barimah and Kofi Nyarko. 

The rest are Timothy Asumadu Kessey, Kyei Mensah, Kwame Bannor and Collins Asamoah. 

A statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Department of the Ashanti regional Police Command, ASP Yaw Nketiah-Yeboah, and issued to the media in Kumasi, explained that the suspects, who have been charged with the offence of rioting with offensive weapons, abatement, causing harm, causing damage and attempted murder, are being processed for court. 

They are being held for their alleged involvement in the Kumawu rioting and attack on police and military personnel detailed to the town to maintain law and order during the funeral of a man said to be the de-stooled Akyempimhene of Kumawu. 

According to the statement, the police had gathered intelligence that on February, 16, the self-styled Kumawuhene, Barimah Tweneboah Kodua would be attending the said funeral. 

The statement said, the security gathered information, that there was going to be a clash between followers of the recognized chief and the self-acclaimed one. 

According to the statement, on the day in question, 38 police and six military men were detailed to go and maintain peace and avert any clash. 

The statement said, at about 2.30 pm, during the day of the funeral, the security personnel saw the self-styled chief with his elders processing to the funeral grounds.

Giving further details, it said on reaching Bodomase, a community in the Kumawu traditional area, the security personnel created a human wall to stop the chiefs from proceeding to the funeral grounds and in the process, someone threw an improvised "petrol bomb" at the security personnel causing injury to four of them compelling the police to fire teargas to disperse them. 

However, about 15 minutes later, led by Nana Akwasi Baffoe, some youngmen numbering about 50 armed with guns, clubs, stones and other offensive weapons regrouped and allegedly attacked the security personnel, shooting at them. It said.


GBC