Gangsters go berserk at Aboabo Akorem

There was pandemonium at Aboabo Akorem, a Zongo community in Kumasi, yesterday morning when about 50 members of a notorious group called ‘Anrabasin’ went berserk and fired gunshots indiscriminately in protest against the killing of a member of the group.

‘Anrabasin’ is a Hausa expression which literally means ‘We shall divide the town’.

The gangsters suspected the members of the neighbourhood watch committee for the killing of Hakeem Mohammed in the early hours of Tuesday and, therefore, vowed to avenge.

The deceased was described by the police as a notorious criminal. Coming at a time Kumasi was beginning to see some relative peace after the recent attacks and killings, the incident has compelled the police to maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent any nasty development.

According to eyewitnesses, for about one hour fear and panic spread through the suburb, with a number of innocent people running to safe areas, while others kept indoors.

Although the police managed to restore law and order about 9.30 a.m., tension continued to mount in the community, as many feared the gangsters could re-group to attack again.

In the midst of the firing of the gunshots, the members of the neighbourhood watch committee also armed themselves with guns and machetes ready to do battle with the group.

The police arrested 12 members of the neighbourhood watch committee who, as of press time yesterday, were being held at the Central Police Station in Kumasi.

A number of weapons and ammunition, as well as charms and amulets, were retrieved from them.

But the leaders of the committee, as well as the assembly member for the Akorem Electoral Area, have accused the police of selective justice and vowed to ensure the release of their colleagues, since they have not committed any crime.

A number of them massed up at the Ashanti Regional Police Command yesterday afternoon, questioning the basis for the arrest of the suspects.

A statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Command said about 2 a.m. yesterday, members of the Aboabo Akorem Neighbourhood Watch Committee allegedly encountered Hakeem and another person by name Mutaka Mohammed in the neighbourhood.

Hakeem was shot dead, but Mutaka escaped with injury. “But the incident that led to the shooting of the man is yet to be known,” it said.

According to the statement, a police patrol team that was in the area quickly went to the scene but could not make any arrest at the time.

It said the police maintained their presence in the community and its environs and about 9 a.m. 12 armed members of the watch committee were arrested.

Four pump action guns, four single-barrelled guns, one double-barrelled gun, two knives, 53 live cartridges and charms and amulets were retrieved from them.

It said the body of Hakeem was being prepared for burial when the police went in to stop the process and rather deposited it at the morgue of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital pending further investigation.

The statement said the police were trying to establish contact with Mutaka, who was with the deceased when he was shot, to assist in investigations.

However, the Assembly Member for Akorem, Mr Isah Ibrahim, who was with some aggrieved members of the watch committee, described the arrest of the 12 as a miscarriage of justice.

Speaking to journalists on the premises of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, Mr Ibrahim said Hakeem was not killed by the neighbourhood watch members.

He explained that the weapons retrieved from the members were only used to protect the group and innocent members of the community from attacks by the gangsters.

He said the volunteer group was formed to protect the community from criminals who had been terrorising the people.

“Since we formed the neighbourhood watch group, criminal activities have reduced to a great extent at Aboabo Akorem,” Mr Ibrahim added.

He said when some members of the ‘Anrabasin’ started shooting indiscriminately yesterday morning, members of the watch committee decided to come out to confront them, since the committee had taken it upon itself to protect lives and property in the area.

Mr Ibrahim said when the gangsters saw the volunteers approaching, they took to their heels, but, unfortunately, it was the volunteers who were arrested by the police.