The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare stormed Asamankese Township following disturbance occasioned by the Chieftaincy dispute.
The IGP visited the palace occupied by Osabarima Adu Darko III and his elders to interact with them on Tuesday.
The IGP had earlier in the day visited Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to assure him of dealing with the matter.
The IGP assured that police will ensure adequate security to maintain law and order in the town. He said suspects involved in last Monday’s disturbance will be dealt with according to law.
A rival chief Barima Pobi Asomaning besieged the Asamankese palace with armed thugs amidst firing of warning shots to aid the performance of traditional rites for his enstoolment as a parallel Chief.
The armed thugs at about 7:00am on Monday outnumbered police officers on duty at the chief’s palace and violently invaded the palace amidst the firing of gunshots.
The police in the Eastern region have meanwhile arrested 38 Suspects in connection with the violence
It also retrieved and seized 52 AA spent shells, one sidearm with 2 loaded magazines, one pump action gun was from the Suspects.
Nine (9) bystanders who were injured were rushed to Asamankese Government Hospital.
Osabarima Adu Darko III is legitimate Chief of Asamankese, stop desecrating customs – Okyenhene.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has stated that Osabarima Adu Darko III is legitimate Chief of Asamankese who has dully sworn oath of allegiance to him.
Okyenhene, therefore, described the purported installation of Barima Pobi Asomanin II as Asamankese Chief amidst violence as “unlawful, irregular, uncustomary, being an aberration of Akyem Abuakwa custom and therefore null, void and of no effect”
Chief of Aworasa Barima Pobi Asomanin II allegedly organized armed thugs to besiege the Asamankese palace to install himself as chief amidst chaos and gunshots.
A statement issued by State Secretary at Ofori Panin Fie DM Ofori Atta on Monday said “ Osagyefuo views the incident of Monday 20th December 2021 as an affront to the dignity of Okyeman, a desecration and violation of its cherished customs and tradition,” the letter signed by State Secretary DM Ofori-Atta said.
“Of greater imperative, this obscene, violent, and reckless conduct of Barima Pobi Asomanin II has put Asamankese on the verge of civil strife, communal violence and poses a threat to life and property.
The statement further said, “Osagyefuo unreservedly condemns this act and calls on the Police and other law enforcement agencies to immediately restore order, thoroughly probe the incident, bring all culprits to book, and put an immediate end to the unlawful seizure and occupation of the Asamankese palace.”
The Paramount Chief of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council hinted at pressing customary disciplinary actions against Barima Pobi Asomanin II and other errant chiefs.
Meanwhile, Okyenhene wants the IGP George Akufo Dampare to immediately take steps to restore law and order in the area.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
