2 Nabbed Over Hohoe Arson Attack

The police in Hohoe have arrested two persons believed to be involved in clashes that erupted last week in Hohoe.

The two, whose identities have been withheld for security reasons, are currently assisting the police in their investigations.

According to reports monitored on Accra-based Joy FM, the arrests were made known during a meeting of the Municipal Chief Executive and the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alex Bedie.

Attempts to reach DCOP Bedie proved futile as the person who answered his phone said, “Commander is in a meeting”. Other calls made to his phone were not answered as at press time yesterday.

Meanwhile, the planned procession by Togbega Gabusu and his sub-chiefs through the Hohoe township last Saturday could not come on as announced.

The procession, which was to end at the house of Togbega Gabusu, would have also covered the Zongo community and other affected areas of last Monday’s clashes.

The procession, according to the Gbi Traditional Council, was to send a strong signal to the Zongo community that Togbega was in charge, assess the extent of damage in the Hohoe Township, particularly Togbega’s house and also stamp his authority in the area.

The Gbi youth, who had earlier in the morning started gearing up for the procession amidst singing and chanting, last Saturday morning, were somewhat unhappy about the cancellation of the procession allegedly on the orders of the regional minister. Many of them gathered in small groups, discussing the cancellation as chiefs and elders tried to explain the development to them.

According to the GNA, Togbe Adzima V of Gbi Abansi explained that the tour was called off based on intelligence reports that the environment was not conducive for the procession.

The youth also expressed worry over the extension of the 48-hour ultimatum to the Zongo community to return the Gbi state regalia, but Togbe Adzima appealed to them to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, a delegation of chiefs led by the Awormefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III, yesterday stormed Hohoe to also take part in the peace process.

Torgbui Sri III sympathized with the feuding parties for their loss and stated that peace was the only way forward.

The Awomefia commended the Gbi Traditional Council for the maturity with which it was handling the situation.

He also commended the security personnel for a job well done. Bernard Glover, a member of the Council of State, was also part of the delegation.

Torgbega Gabusu partially blamed the police for the clashes in Hohoe, adding that if they had been proactive to intelligence reports, the skirmishes would not have happened.

He added it was not the wish of the Gbis or any particular group of people to engage in conflicts and therefore it was significant for all to ensure peace to make way for accelerated development.

In a related development, reports reaching DAILY GUIDE indicate that residents who fled the Hohoe Zongo community for fear of their lives were reluctant to return despite many assurances by several personalities to return home.

Although a few of them were trickling in, majority of them were still not ready to return.

Some also visited Hohoe daily to find out how the situation was.

One of such persons, Musah, told DAILY GUIDE that “the life of my family is important and so I have to be sure Zongo and Hohoe is safe before we return.”

DAILY GUIDE’s interaction with some of the refugees in Jasikan revealed that most of them were waiting for total calm to return and the curfew in Hohoe lifted before they returned. Hamzo Bukari noted, “Life is only one and that me and my little sister will return after we are sure that we will be safe.”

Over 6000 people, mostly women and children, are believed to have fled Hohoe to seek refuge in Kpando, Jasikan, Kadjebi and the Biakoye districts of the Volta Region.

Most of them are living in mosques or with friends and relatives in communities within the various districts.