Security Council orders arrest of 12 suspects

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has ordered the arrest of 12 suspects, in connection with an uproar, which erupted between Muslims and Christians in Atebubu some few days ago.

According to the Council, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects spearheaded the misunderstanding between the two religious groups, and set ablaze a mission house belonging to the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church.

The Council, however, charged Muslim leaders in the town, to ensure that the identified suspects were arrested and brought to the Regional Police Command for prosecution.

At a news conference in Sunyani, Mr Eric Opoku, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, and Chairman of REGSEC, ordered the Muslim leaders to ensure the arrest and transfer of the suspects for the law to take its course.

He emphasized that the Security Council had met with, and resolved the impasse, between the Muslims and the Christians amicably, but added that the criminal aspect of the matter must be pursued.

According to the Regional Minister, the two religious bodies agreed to allow peace a chance, and they subsequently signed a peace pact, after deliberating on the issue for about five hours.

“The SDA Church has even surrendered the piece of land behind the controversy, to the Muslim community,” Mr Opoku who is the Member of Parliament for Asunafo South, added.

He commended the two religious groups for the maturity they exhibited in addressing the matter, and was optimistic that they would co-exist peacefully for the development of the area.

It will be recalled that a misunderstanding erupted between the Muslim community and the SDA Church at Atebubu over the ownership of a piece of land, and in the process, some young men burnt down the mission house of the SDA church.