85 arrested for attacking police station at Mankranso

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 9th June ?99

The police have arrested 85 people from Adugyama in the Ahafo-Ano South district of Ashanti suspected to have taken part in a mob attack on the Mankranso police station last Saturday.

They were rounded up in a dawn raid on the town by a police detachment from Kumasi led by Assistant Superintendent of Police H.A. Yakubu.

The attack on the station was said to have been sparked off by the arrest of five persons at the Adugyama Zongo who were wanted for assault and causing damage.

Mr Yaw Adu-Gyimah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, explained to the press in Kumasi on Tuesday that the five, Salifu, Lawal, Iddrisu, Salifu Armaa and Yakubu, were escorted to the Mankranso Police Station by Mr Abdul Aziz, unit committee chairman.

Shortly afterwards, a nissan urvan mini-bus packed with mostly the youth from Adugyama pulled up at the station and besieged the charge office.

The Regional Commander said they demanded the release of the five, managed to free two of them and attempted to disarm the policeman on duty, Sergeant D.K. Adetor.

In the ensuing struggle, the rifle went off hitting one of the assailants on the leg and another on the thigh, Mr Adu-Gyimah said, adding that the two, whose names he could not readily give, are now on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

He said the suspects would be screened and those found to have taken part in the attack would be prosecuted.

The Regional Police Commander condemned the increasing attacks on police stations and police personnel, and warned that they would deal ruthlessly with people who engage in such lawless acts.