Farmer Guns Down Charcoal Producer on Suspicion of Yam Theft

Nkwanta, Oct 7, GNA - A 26 year- old farmer, Kofi Bidegbanim, has been arrested by the Nkwanta Police for killing Nayinknam Boujun, 68, a peasant farmer on suspicion of stealing 10 tubers of yam on his farm.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Douglas Kumah, briefing the Ghana News Agency, said Bidegbanim armed with suspicion and a single-barreled gun, went to the cottage of the deceased, which is at the outskirts of Sibi-Hilltop, near Kpassah, in the Nkwanta North District.

He said the suspect, who appeared from a thicket, called the deceased and when she responded and looked in his direction, he pressed the trigger, killing her instantly with her intestines gushing out. Mr Kumah said Bidegbanim escaped unnoticed.

However, the suspect reportedly informed his grandfather about the act claiming it was to atone for his lost yams. Mr Kumah said Bidegbanim bid his grandfather farewell with the intention of committing suicide but was arrested by a youth group and sent to the Police Station.

Meanwhile, Bidegbanim, married with three children, said in his caution statement to the Police that, he granted the permission to the deceased to burn charcoal because his elder brother was married to deceased's daughter.

However, the persistent disappearance of his yams, including the 10 tubers, compelled him to shoot the deceased.