Rampaging youth attack police at Abesim

Abesim (B/A), April 27, GNA - A mob of angry youth on Tuesday attacked a Police Station at Abesim near Sunyani to avenge the death of a colleague, who was allegedly stabbed to death at a drinking spot by another man.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Robert Ayalingo, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander, briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the issue, said at about 2300 hours on April 25 this year, a group of youth went to a drinking spot popularly known as 91Lovers Bar' at Abesim for drinks.

He said an attendant called Janet Kontire, who is a Dagarti, refused to sell to them because it was too late, which made the youth to become furious and one of them slapped her. The Regional Police Commander said two Dagarti men, who were at the bar also drinking, intervened to save the girl from further beatings but the angry youth rather turned their anger on them and a scuffle ensued between them.

One of the Dagarti men, who is on the run, then drew a knife and stabbed the deceased, Yaw Opoku, 25, who died instantly and another, Atta, aged 30, who was rushed to the Sunyani Regional Hospital in a very serious condition.

DCOP Ayalingo said when news of the death got to the youth the following morning, they went searching for the perpetrator but their efforts proved futile so they began attacking any Dagarti person they came across in the town

They then barricaded the main Sunyani-Kumasi road that runs through the town with stones, pieces of wood and burnt tyres to prevent the movement of vehicles.

DCP Ayalingo said the youth not satisfied with this action marched to the police station to attack two Policemen of Dagarti extraction who were on duty.

The officers in an attempt to defend themselves fired a warning shot, which unfortunately hit someone eating at a chop bar. The Regional Police Commander said the officers, who could no longer control the rampaging youth, called for reinforcement of police and military personnel to help to bring the situation under control. He said the chief and elders of the town, as well as the deceased's family members had been invited to the Regional Police Headquarters on the matter.

DCOP Ayalingo added that the chief was asked to advise his people not to take the law into their hands as that could lead to the loss of lives of innocent persons and rather to support the police in their investigations.

He said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the Regional Hospital whilst the two other victims are on admission at the same hospital and responding to treatment.