The late Nene Atsure Benta
The Police in Prampram and Afienya have arrested four persons in connection with the gruesome murder of the Mankralo and acting President of the Prampram Traditional Area, Nene Asture Benta III.
The suspects, who happen to be relations of the 73-year-old, were said to be assisting the police in investigations.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the District Security Council (DISEC) yesterday, the Prampram Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Godact Dodzi Hlordzi, said that police had since arrested the stool father and some accomplices.
“Afienya Police called to inform us so quickly we made some investigations and made some arrests so investigations are ongoing. So far, there are four people in custody now. We will hand them over to the Afienya Police because the incident did not occur here in Prampram,” according to the commander.
He said that owing to the death of the Prampram Mankralo, the police had deployed plain-clothed police to the area to tighten security.
The Divisional Police Commander stressed that anyone who might attempt to destabilize the peace in the area would be severely dealt with.
The Mankralo was shot to death at Appolonia by unknown assailants on Thursday evening while returning from a meeting at the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs at Dodowa.
The incident has caused panic among the residents who fear reprisal attacks from the supporters of the deceased.
Acting President of the Prampram Traditional Council was murdered a day after he was purportedly destooled by some elders of his clan who accused him of committing traditional blunders they described as sacrilegious.
The elders, who were at loggerheads with the deceased, on Thursday held a press conference to declare his destoolment, only for him to be killed a few hours later.
Chairman of DISEC, Jonathan Paa Nii Doku, District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ningo-Prampram, said his outfit was not aware of the movement of the late Mankralo, adding that he could have asked for police protection.
According to him, the security agency would leave no stone unturned in apprehending perpetrators of the heinous crime.
He said the police would arrest any person who would attempt to disturb the peace in the area, appealing to the indigenes of the area to remain calm for the police to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, the Stool Father (Setse) of the Prampram Paramountcy, Numo Osabu Abbey IV, has called on the security agencies to act swiftly to arrest those behind the killing of the Mankralo.
According to him, the suspects have started threatening their lives as well.
The body of the late Mankralo, who left behind six children and wives, has since been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue pending autopsy.
The Homicide Unit and Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service visited the scene to investigate the matter.
From Vincent Kubi, Prampram