Bloody clash leaves three people dead

Akokoa (B/A) Jan. 26, GNA - A bloody clash last Saturday between a Fulani herdsman and a farmer at Akokoa, a farming community in Atebubu/Amantin District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, had left three people dead.

The Regional Security Council has visited the scene of the incident and beefed up security to forestall breach of the peace. No arrest has been made.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency about the incident in Sunyani on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Seth Charles Oteng, Regional Police Commander, said the police had information that for some time now some Fulani herdsmen had allowed their cattle to graze and destroy people's farms in the area.

He said last Saturday a settler Dagarti farmer spotted one Fulani herdsman with the cattle grazing and destroying his farm. DCOP Oteng said the farmer confronted the Fulani herdsman and in the process a scuffle ensued between them and in the process the Fulani man pulled a gun and fired at the farmer at close range killing him instantly. The Regional Police Commander said information about the death of the farmer got to the youth of Akokoa, who barricaded the main road in the area to seek vengeance.

DCOP Oteng said they then subjected all vehicles to a search and in the process spotted two Fulani herdsmen and killed them instantly. When the other Fulani herdsmen in the area heard about the killings of their colleagues they fled the town leaving behind their cattle, he said. DCOP Oteng said the police would arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the crime.

He said the police did not have authority to drive away Fulani herdsmen from the area and advised the people not to take the law into their hands, but to assist the police to restore peace and order.