18 remanded for rioting and stealing riffles

Sekondi, Oct. 3, GNA- Eighteen people, including two women have been arrested and remanded into Police custody, for their alleged involvement in rioting and stealing two AK 47 assault riffles belonging to the Police.

The 18 were alleged to be among a group of rioters who beat up two Policemen into unconsciousness at Teleku-Bokazo near Nkroful in the Western Region.

Their pleas were not taken and Assistant Superintendent of Police Albert Deletsa, the prosecutor did not present the facts. They would re-appear before the Sekondi district magistrates' court on October 11.

They are Abusuapanyin Nyame Blay, Tufuhene Kwabena Badu, Abusuapanyin Nneaku Nda, Ben Essien, Nwia Kofi, Joseph E. Ackah and James Donkor. Others are Francis Tweneboah, Francis Asankulu, John Nketsia, Kwaku Tweneboah, Daniel Aladje and Richard Kwesi. The rest are, Philip Enu, John Quison, Emmanuel Mensah, Akuba Ackah and Azumah Abekah.

Mr. Kwaja Ellimah, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nzema East said on September 30 this year, the youth of Teleku-Bokazo and Nwia, protested against the prospecting and mining activities of a mining company, Adamus Gold Resources.

He said they intercepted some of the Company's machinery, which was being sent to their site and forced the drivers and some officials of Adamus to escape through the bush. He said the officials sensing danger, called for police assistance to help maintain law and order.

The DCE said when police arrived at the scene, a misunderstanding broke out between them and the community and in the process, one youth was shot in the leg, and this infuriated the others who attacked the Policemen with stones. Two Policemen, Lance Corporal Kingsford Appiah and Constable Opoku Agyemang are presently in critical condition at the Axim government hospital and their AK47 riffles allegedly stolen after severe beatings by the youth.

Speaking to the media at Sekondi on Tuesday, Mr Robert M. Azu, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Acting Regional Commander said the suspects were arrested on Monday evening and some people had fled the town.

He said a Police re-enforcement had been sent to the town to ensure law and order and to prevent any further loses. Mr. Azu said hostilities had calmed down in the town.