Don’t panic – IGP tells Agogo residents

Major General Poku-Adusei, John Kudalor and Kofi Boakye being welcomed to the Agogohene’s palace

The acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, has stated emphatically that a joint police/military team is firmly in control of the security situation at Agogo and the nearby towns and villages in the Ashanti Region and so the people should not panic.

He also gave the assurance that the heavily-armed security agents would work assiduously to help maintain law and order in the area, urging the Agogo residents, notably the farmers, to go about their daily duties without any fear.

“You can go to farm without any fear because the police and the soldiers are here to provide adequate protection for you,” he said, adding that nobody could break the law with impunity at Agogo and the surrounding areas.

Mr. Kudalor stated that all flash points at Agogo, where there had been violent clashes between Fulani nomads and residents in recent days, would be monitored by the armed security men in order to prevent further bloodbath.

He said when the need arises more policemen and soldiers will be sent to Agogo to beef up security, noting that the police command was in full support of the roadmap earmarked by the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to ensure peace at Agogo.

The IGP was addressing a section of media practitioners from Kumasi at Agogo in the Asante Akim district where he and other security gurus had visited on Thursday to assess the security situation in the area.

Mr. Kudalor was accompanied by Major General Poku-Adusei, Chief of Army Staff; DCOP Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander; Peter Anarfi Mensah, outgoing Ashanti Regional Minister and other security capos.

They met with all stakeholders at Agogo including the traditional leaders, the district security council and the youth. The security capos impressed on them to live their lives according to the laws of the country.

Road Map

Mr. Anarfi Mensah, earlier announced to the traditional rulers that a roadmap had been rolled out by REGSEC which he was confident could help restore total peace and orderliness in the town, and urged the people to support it.

Major General Poku-Adusei assured that government and the security agencies would carry out the court order to expel the Fulani nomads from the area, admonishing the youth to be law abiding.

Most of the youth that stormed the palace intermittently showered praises on the security capos, stating that they have confidence in the police to maintain law and order at Agogo.

Chiefs

Nana Kwame Nti, Agogo Krontihene, stated that all cattle at Agogo should be expelled from the area to help save the people from the ordeal that the Fulani nomads had visited on them over the years. He articulated, “We support the roadmap.”

Gyasehene of Agogo, Nana Adjei Frimpong, debunked rumours that chiefs in the area also own some of the cattle.