The Ghana Police Service has arrested Newton Allotey and another key suspect in the violent clashes that marred the Homowo festival celebration in Omanjor, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, resulting in three deaths and injuring several others.

According to a police report, the arrest took place in the early hours of Monday, September 1, 2025, at his hideout in Dansoman Last Stop, following intelligence-led operations.

According to the report, Allotey and his accomlplice are alleged to be part of the armed group that besieged the Palace of the Chief of Omanjor during the traditional kpokpoi sprinkling ceremony, a key ritual of the Homowo festival celebrations.

The attack, which resulted from a dispute over the approved route for the ritual, led to the deaths of Abubakar Ramadan Sarbah (alias Nii Kwashiebu), Theophilus Nii Amu Kwadjan, and Joseph Shaibu Dodoo.

Omanjor-Sowutuom Deadly Clashes: What we know so far

Four others—Enoch Amevor, Samuel Adjei, Nathaniel Doku, and Frederick Lartey (alias Nii Obrafour)—sustained gunshot and machete injuries and are receiving treatment at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital.

A Special Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, acting on a tip-off, deployed four tactical teams to apprehend Allotey at approximately 1:00 am on September 1.

According to the report, a search conducted during the arrest recovered 18 spent BB cartridges believed to be linked to the Omanjor shooting.

Allotey and the other suspect are currently in custody, assisting with ongoing investigations, as police intensify efforts to apprehend other suspects linked to the violence.

The clashes, which also saw a police superintendent physically assaulted, were triggered by longstanding disputes over land boundaries and ritual routes between the Omanjor and Sowutuom communities.

Several injured as rival groups clash during Omanjor Homowo

Unconfirmed reports initially suggested six to eight deaths, including the son of the Sowutuom chief, but police have confirmed three fatalities.

The Accra Regional Police Command has deployed additional personnel to restore calm and prevent retaliatory attacks.

The Chief of Omanjor, Nii Ayitey Tackie I, has called for a thorough investigation, alleging that his entourage was ambushed while performing the kpokpoi rites.

The Anyaa-Sowutuom Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Tobbin has condemned the violence, urging swift justice to avert further unrest while Municipal Chief Executive for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Emmanuel Adotey Allotey, assured residents of enhanced security measures to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has appealed to the public for information to aid in arresting other suspects, emphasising its commitment to maintaining law and order in the affected communities.



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