Kumasi laud police for averting a bloodbath

The residents of the Kumasi metropolis have commended the Ashanti regional police for foiling last Tuesdays attack on residents of Suame and its environs by a mob from Alabar.

Many residents who called on Kapital Radio?s daybreak Kapital programme were full of praise for the police for averting what could have been a bloody confrontation. Speaking on the programme, the Ashanti Regional deputy police Commander, ACP Opare Addo disclosed that his men are still on the ground to foil further attacks. He explained that the mob made up of mostly youth went on rampage soon after the burial of a colleague whom they claim was lynched by residents of suame and smashed windscreens of ten vehicles. According to the mob the colleague had gone to a visa contractor to demand a refund of thousand dollars which he paid to enable him travel abroad but the said visa contractor hooted at him as a thief which attracted some residents who proceeded and lynched him

The Deputy Regional Police Commander also disclosed that 24 people have been arrested and have been arraigned before court for prosecution. He advised the public to volunteer information which will lead to the arrest of criminals in the city. This according to him will aid the police in their work; he said anyone with information on persons illegally possessing arms should report to the police for arrest.

Meanwhile The Minister of Defense, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor has expressed grave concern at the mayhem unleashed on a section of Kumasi residents by a gang of anarchist who took the metropolis by storm yesterday. To him, such unwarranted acts of indiscipline and lawlessness in society must not be toyed with and condemned in no uncertain terms. Dr Addo Kufuor expressed these sentiments when he toured certain parts of the metropolis to ascertain the extent of damage caused to property and to find ways to reduce the escalating criminal activities ion the city of Kumasi. Dr Addo Kufuor added that the activities of group known as Al-Qaeda, Taleban and the likes should not be entertained in the metropolis, adding that the police serve and the military with his support will deal with anyone found to be involved in yesterday?s acts of violence

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, ACP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour confirmed that the death of one Gadu Karibu started trouble. He refered to the areas affected by the violence as Suame Magazine where the group destroyed cars, house and other valuable items as well as Manhyia and Krofrom. The police intervention led to the arrest of 24 people. The Defense Minister visited the Chief of the Zongo community and sub chiefs at Alabar to seek their support to help curb all forms of criminal activities which are being perceived to be associated with some residents in the Zongo communities. The chief of the community, Alhaji Ibrahim Danso reiterated his unflinching support for the police and military to rub the violence and other criminal acts in the bud. The General Officer Commanding the Northern Command of the Ghana Army, Brigadier General George Ayiku said his outfit is ready to assist the police to bring to book any person caught to be involved in acts that undermine the peace of the Kumasi metropolis and the region as a whole.

The Defense Minister ended his tour by paying a courtesy call on the Otumfuo Asantehene, Dr Osei Tutu at the Manhyia Palace