A suspect caught wielding a gun
Five persons have been arrested by the police in connection with the violent clash that led to the death of one person and the injury of eight others, including a pregnant woman at Agbogbloshie, an Accra suburb.
The suspects, whose names have been withheld, according to police, are between the ages of 19 and 35.
Two were arrested Tuesday evening while three others were grabbed yesterday morning wielding locally manufactured pistols at the scene.
According to the Inspector General of Police, a male adult of about 27 years who suffered gunshots and machete wounds died while seven others, including a pregnant woman, are still in critical condition receiving treatment at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
One person has however, been treated and discharged by the hospital authorities as several properties running to thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed in the clash.
The Facts
Briefing journalists, Mr Asante-Apeatu said at about 23 hours on Monday, April 10, 2017, the Accra Regional Police Command received information that a young man – yet to be identified – stole a mobile phone belonging to another man whose name is also unknown.
A group of people allegedly beat up the suspected thief but later released him.
About 9:15 am the following morning, the suspected thief returned with a group of his sympathizers on a revenge mission which was effectively repelled by the victim and his sympathizers.
The suspects and his gang, according to the police chief, left the scene only to return the second time reinforced in numbers to attack the victim and his team and that resulted in the brawl.
Police Response
Mr Asante-Apeatu stated that on receiving the information, a police patrol team was deployed to the scene to ensure peace.
Key stakeholders in the area were called by the regional commander, DCOP Osabarima Asare Oware Pinkron, for a meeting and while the meeting was ongoing at the regional command, the police personnel on the ground requested for reinforcement with information that there was a renewed clash in the area.
Personnel of the Formed Police Unit (FPU), together with the military, were later sent to give support to the reinforcement team.
At the scene, the police discovered that there was total pandemonium at the place and that shops were being set ablaze and gunshots heard.
The five suspects arrested were later spotted wielding locally made pistols in the area and are currently in custody assisting in police investigations, according to the IGP.
Yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, Minister of National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah and three other ministers visited the area to get first-hand information of the situation.
Ambrose Dery warned that the law would deal with any person found culpable in the clash.
The police have therefore created a command post at the area to ensure continuous security.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey