Police superintendent shot in the stomach

Ho, June 3, GNA- The Ho Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Theophilus Tetteh-Nartey, is on admission at the Volta Regional Hospital, with serious injuries incurred, when he attempted to arrest an intruder, who entered the Volta Regional Minister's residency on Monday night.

The Regional Minister's son and two drivers, who were attacked by the intruder, have been treated and discharged. The Surgeon on duty at the Regional Hospital, who pleaded anonymity, told the Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi and the Regional Police Commander Bernard Dery that, Superintendent Tetteh-Narttey was brought in bleeding profusely. The Surgeon said Supt. Tetteh-Nartey's "was badly wounded in the stomach and his intestines perforated by bullets" and that, "we will do our best".

He said Superintendent Tetteh-Nartey was lucky his liver was not damaged and was optimistic that he would be fine. The Surgeon said Superintendent Tetteh-Nartey lost so much blood and had to be transfused with three pints of blood. Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Mr Dery said he had a call from Superintendent Tetteh-Nartey at about 0930hours on Monday night that an intruder known as Dzikunu Agbale had attacked the Regional Minister's Residence and was attacking people and destroying properties. He said he (Commander) quickly arranged for reinforcement and rushed to the scene himself.

The Commander said upon reaching the entrance of the Residency, he was told Agbale had been overpowered, but Superintendent Tetteh-Narttey was rushed to the Regional Hospital.

He said he learnt Agbale arrived at the main gate of the Residency and requested to see the Regional Minister, but was told the Regional Minister had travelled. The Commander said Agbale then requested to see a driver called Adjei Mensah, also known as "Para" but before the Police could answer him; he (Agbale) punched one of them and forced his way through the main gate into the residency.

Mr Dery said Agbale then rushed to the Regional Minister's apartment, broke the glass door, entered the seating room and destroyed a wall clock, wall pictures and later went to the kitchen, where he took a kitchen knife and chased the Minister's son. The Regional Commander said the Police then arrived, gave some warning shots and Agbale, who had then taken cover, emerged and attacked a policeman, resulting in a struggle. He said during the struggle, Agbale held the rifle of one of the policemen and pressed the trigger, hitting Superintendent Tettey-Nartey in the abdomen and the arm. He said Agbale also attacked Superintendent Tettey-Nartey with a crowbar and a hammer he was yielding until he was subsequently shot by the police, killing him instantly. Mr Dery said a quantity of Indian hemp, a talisman with four keys and porcupine spines were also found on Agbale. He said the Police was still trying to establish the true identity of Agbale, but "suspects an assassination attempt" in view of recent developments in Ho and Dzodze area". Meanwhile, Agbale's body has been deposited at the Volta Regional mortuary.