Six persons including a police officer and five residents of Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti region are in critical condition after some personnel from the Ghana Police Service clashed with some irate youth of the town.
Lance Corporal Samuel Kugyenu, according to police accounts was hit in the knee with a metal bar by the irate youth and got injured while Awal Mohammed 26; Fuseini Issah, 23 and Kojo Tratra, 21 all farmers as well as Sakura Omar, 24 and Abu Salifu, 17 all from Tontokrom also sustained gunshot wounds.
A press release dated 16th May, 2019 signed by the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Godwin Ahianyo and copied to WatchGhana.Com indicates: "Police patrol team of the Ashanti regional police command on Thursday, 16th May, 2019 about 2:00am went to Tontokrom in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti region to execute a court warrant issued by the Bekwai Circuit Court when they were accosted by some irate youth of Tontokrom resulting in the injury of Lance Corporal Samuel Kugyenu of the SWAT unit and injuries to five others.
"Preliminary investigations have it that, the personnel had gone to the town to execute a court warrant, issued by the above named court for the arrest of some suspects for causing unlawful damage to properties and theft of pump Action guns belonging to Benviko Company Limited, a mining company located at Tontokrom.
"Suspects Madasil Iddrisu, 24; Kwadwo Addo, 33; and Emmanuel Asante alias Oboy Emma, 39 who were named as accomplice in the case were arrested.
"That whilst returning to base, one of them raised an alarm that they had been attacked by armed robbers, which attacked the attention of some youths in the Village, resulting in the confrontation.
"The irate youth wielding Pump Action guns, machete and others offensive weapons, then blocked the road with logs, metal bars and other heavy equipment. They attacked the patrol team and demanded the release of the arrested three suspects.
"An attempt by the police to dissuade the lawless irate youths yielded no result, as they became more aggressive and violent.
"During the confrontation, a metal bar was used to hit the knee of Lance Corporal Samuel Kugyenu resulting in an injury, whilst others fired Pump Action guns, pelted stones and other missiles causing damage to the police vehicles.
"The police in self-defense fired some warning shots and managed to clear the road blocks mounted by the violent irate youth.
"The injured Lance Corporal was rescued and rushed to the Military Hospital, Kumasi where he was admitted for medical attention.
Meanwhile the five residents of Tontokrom who sustained gunshot wounds during the clash are also receiving medical treatment at the St. Martins Hospital at Agroyesum, under police guard, it says.
Investigations have so far commenced into the attack and injuries of the police officer and other persons.
, December 18, 2019