Police avert Konkomba, Fulani clash

The timely intervention by the police and the Navy saved a situation which could have escalated into a bloody clash between the Konkombas and Fulani herdsmen at Konkomba, near Yeji in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The police managed to arrest three suspects namely, Kofi Anto Adu, Moses Kofi and Napari Desmond, who were believed to be involved in the clash, whilst frantic efforts are being made to track down the rest of the perpetrators.

Briefing DAILY GUIDE, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Christopher Tawiah, said that on September 21, 2014, one Kwame Dzakbena from Konkomba reported to the local police that cattle belonging to some Fulani herdsmen strayed into his farm and damaged his crops.

When the Fulani herdsmen were confronted by farmers in the area, they (herdsmen) became offended and allegedly inflicted cutlass wounds on the farmers.

The PRO said the police accompanied the complainant to the farm and found out that the allegation by the complainant was false because no crops had been destroyed.

While returning to the station, the police bumped into an irate mob at Konkomba armed with cutlasses, cudgels and other offensive weapons ready to attack the Fulanis.

ASP Tawiah stated that the police in an attempt to prevent the mob from lynching the Fulanis were brutalized by the group.

According to him, a reinforcement team comprising police and navy advanced to the scene, and after a peace-ful interaction with the irate mob, the police decided to leave the scene.

However, suspect Kofi Anto Adu struck one Yussif Amuda, a witness, from behind. A police officer, in an attempt to rescue the victim, was also assaulted in the process.

He disclosed that when the Yeji District Police Commander, DSP Abraham Bansah and his men arrived they were equally assaulted by the group.

In the process, the police commander fired a warning shot from his pistol to disperse the mob, but one Kwabena Amoah, now at large, tried to disarm the commander by holding the muzzle of the gun.

A struggle ensued between the police commander and suspect Kwabena Amoah and the pistol went off, hit-ting the right leg of the culprit. Sensing danger, the suspect managed to escape.