Bloody Kwabre clash: Gun-wielding individuals arrested

Four persons have been arrested with firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons in connection with the clash between residents of Ahwiaa and Zongo youth in the Kwabre East District of the Ashanti region.

Two of suspects were carrying pistols while the other two were holding machetes during a scuffle in the early hours of Saturday, February 3, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Fred Adu Anim, has said.

The melee has caused injuries to dozens of individuals and properties including cars have been destroyed.

"You can see, all the kiosks and structures along the road at the Asantes' side have been vandalised," DCOP Anim said, adding screens of cars that were parked in the town have been smashed.

A mosque has also been attacked by the youth from the Asante faction.

DCOP Fred Anim made the disclosure when he met with the Chief of Ahwiaa Nana Amo Nti.

The police have subsequently appealed to the chiefs of both the Asante and Zongo factions to advise their subjects to ensure that there is peace else a curfew will be imposed on the town if the fight continues.

Calm has returned to the town after a joint military and police personnel led by the DCOP Anim were deployed to the town to maintain order.

The fight is said to have resurfaced on Thursday, February 1, 2018 during a burial ceremony of a lady by the Asantes amidst a brass band when the Zongos joined generating into confusion.

The scuffle sparked again on Saturday leading to several injuries and destruction to property.

Class FM’s Ashanti regional correspondent Elisha Adarkwa reported that business activities have come to a total halt as a result of the scuffle.

The residents of the town have expressed fear and pleaded that the joint military and police stay until the chaos is resolved completely.