Police probe ?1 billion gold artifact theft

The Offinso Police are investigating the theft of an artifact made of pure gold from the stool room of the royal family of Ampabame, near Offinso in Ashanti. The recent artifact is said to value over ? 1 billion.

Police sources told the 'Times' in Kumasi, on Wednesday, that Barima Kwadwo Takyi Abeam, chief of the town, detected the disappearance of the idol and reported to the police last week Tuesday. Barima Abeam was said to have named one of his opponent (name withheld) as the prime suspect. The opponent, according to the chief, had once threatened to kill me (the chief) so as to lay hands on the "hidden treasure."

But police investigations so far, are said, to have identified certain personalities close to the stool. The sources said efforts were being made to trace and arrest the suspects, who allegedly fled the town soon after the disappearance of the artifact.