Mob set 20 houses ablaze following death of soccer fan

ASIKUMA, Ghana -- An angry mob from Asikuma in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District of the Central Region of Ghana on Monday set ablaze more than 20 houses at Asantem village, near Asikuma, to avenge the death of a football fan killed in a post-match riot.

Police Superintendent Kwadwo Owusu in charge of the district told newsmen that last Sunday Islamic United of Asikuma engaged Asantem United in a friendly football match which ended 2-1 in favour of the visiting team.

A misunderstanding however occurred between supporters of both teams during which a supporter of the home team allegedly stabbed a supporter of the visiting team, Osumanu Isaaka, 24, on the shoulder, killing him instantly.

Five others, Kwame Opare, Haruna Bawa, Farid Wassah, Mounkaila Bawa and Kwaku Obeng, who sustained injuries were admitted at the Asikuma Catholic Hospital. Mr Owusu said Kwabena Kwarteng, one of the sons of the chief of Asantem, Nana Owongo Nkum III, was arrested in connection with the riot and placed in police custody.

The following day at about 10 a.m., a mob from Asikuma set off for Asantem, armed with cutlasses, clubs and iron bars with the intention to avenge the death of Isaaka. He said a team of armed policemen in the company of the District Chief Executive, Mr. John K. Addai, chased the mob to stop them. The mob, however, overpowered the police, moved ahead to the village and set ablaze more than 20 houses, including the chief's palace, destroying property worth several million cedis. Mr Owusu said a police reinforcement from Agona Swedru and Cape Coast helped prevent the mob from causing further havoc and succeeded in bringing the situation under control.

He said Nana Nkum and his family have now sought refuge at an unknown place while most of the citizens have deserted the village. Meanwhile, the body of Isaaka has been deposited at the Cape Coast Central hospital for autopsy.

Nana Adjoa Mansua, Queenmother of Asantem, has appealed to teachers of the Methodist Primary School to return to the village. She also appealed to the district assembly to bring in more police reinforcement to beef up security and protect life and property.