Mob attacks police during annual rites at chief's palace

Aboabo No 4 (B/A), May 18 GNA - An angry mob at Aboabo Number Four, a town near Dormaa Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo on Wednesday attacked a police team providing security during an annual rites at the chief's palace. The mob vandalized a police van with registration number GP 1295 whilst the queen mother, Nana Adomah Kyerekua Ababio, at the centre of the controversy was brutally punched by a suspect. The police personnel were drawn from Dormaa and Berekum. Four suspects, including a woman, have been arrested and police named them as Philip Damoah Mensah, 51, Charles Agyemang, 47, Akua Ofaa, 52 and Kofi Poku, 35.

Chief Superintendent Christian Dedzo, Berekum Divisional Police Commander told Ghana News Agency that several of the policemen also sustained injuries.

He explained that Nana Barimah Okogyeatuo Agyemang, chief of the town, had requested for the police protection in view of the seeming opposition of the youth to the installation of the new queen mother. The police commander said he held earlier discussions with the leadership of the youth who agreed to suspend any action against the performance of the ritual.

"The team was therefore surprised when minutes after the ceremony, Mensah, one of the suspects pounced on the queen mother and assaulted her right under the nose of the police", Chief Superintendent Dedzo said.

He said an attempt by the police to prevent the mob from further assaulting the queen mother resulted in a chaotic scene as they engaged in fisticuffs with anybody present, but the police managed to restore calm.

The Chief Superintendent said the angry mob threw stones at the traditional leaders and the police had to whisk the chief and the queen mother to Dormaa Ahenkro.

He said the four suspects would be put before court as soon as investigations are completed.