7 cops shot in Kumawu chieftaincy fight

Seven police officers on Thursday, 16 February have sustained gun wounds at Kumawu Bodomase in the Ashanti Region in connection with a resurgent chieftaincy conflict.

The police got caught up in clashes between two rival royal clans each claiming title to the throne following the death and burial of late Kumawu Akyempimhene Nana Okyere Krampah in Bodumase in the Sekyere Kumawu district, Class News’ Ashanti Regional correspondent Hafiz Tijani reports.

He said an attempt by the security personnel to stop one Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua IV from parading himself as the late chief’s successor at the funeral grounds, sparked chaos, necessitating the firing of tear gas and warning shots by the armed officers to disperse the marauding crowd and supporters of the self-acclaimed chief who were charging on the law enforcers.

Four of the wounded officers are receiving treatment at the Juaben Government Hospital while the other three who are in critical condition have been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

A joint military and police force has been deployed to the area to keep the peace.