Chief of Abetifi narrates violent abduction by armed men, demands justice, improved security

The Chief of Abetifi, Akyemfuor Asiedu Agyemang III, who also serves as the Adontenhene of the Kwahu Traditional Area and acting Kwahuhene, is demanding justice and enhanced security at the palace following his violent abduction by armed men on Thursday, November 7th, 2024.

Addressing the media, the traditional council, and residents of Abetifi in his palace Saturday, the Chief detailed the harrowing ordeal, during which he was accosted, beaten, and held hostage by armed assailants for two hours in a remote house.

According to Akyemfuor Asiedu Agyemang III, at around 9:40 am, four armed men dressed in khaki uniforms burst into his dining room armed with AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, cutlasses, scissors, and batons.

While these men detained him, gunshots rang out from the forecourt of his Palace.

The Chief said he was physically assaulted, struck in the face, undressed, and brutally beaten by the attackers before being dragged out of his Palace bare-chested and taken to an undisclosed location.

“I was severely mishandled and surrounded by guns, cutlasses, and other weapons. They continued to assault me for two hours, depriving me of my rights and causing me immense pain,” he recounted.

His ordeal ended when the military intervened, rescuing him from captivity. Akyemfuor Agyemang III also revealed that during his detention, he saw notable individuals from Abetifi, including Opanin Kwame Debra, Opanin Annor, and Madam Christiana Ohenewaa (referred to as “the Great Yaa Asantewaa”), among the perpetrators.

Expressing his appreciation, the Chief thanked the Okwahu Traditional Council, the youth of Abetifi, and the Ghanaian security forces, including the military and police, for their swift intervention.

“I am grateful to the Military High Command and the Operation Cow-Leg team for protecting lives and restoring peace. Special thanks go to the Ghana Police Service for arresting these perpetrators promptly,” he added.

The Chief also acknowledged Hon. Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi and Minister of Food and Agriculture, Hon. Isaac Agyapong, District Chief Executive of Kwahu East, and Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong for their swift rescue operation.

Akyemfuor Agyemang III called for justice, stating that those responsible must face the full rigors of the Asantewaa

In response to rumors circulating online, the Queen Mother of Abetifi, Nana Amma Amanua II, clarified that the woman implicated in the incident is not the Queen Mother of Abetifi as being circulated but an imposter Abrewatia calling herself “the Great Yaa Asantewaa.

Kwahuhemaa, Nana Adwoa Gyamfua III, insisted the suspect be punished by law and should be banished from the Kwahu land.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Jeff Konadu, a native of Kwahu also called for severe punishment for the perpetrators stating that the case will be keenly followed in court until its logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, suspects arrested in connection with the attack will be arraigned before court next week.