One man has been lynched, while six others have sustained serious injuries, at Akyem Swedru as a result of a chieftaincy dispute between the factions of the Omanhene of the Akyem Bosome Traditional Area and the queen mother of the area. The deceased, Samuel Yankey, alias Nyameke, a palm wine tapper, was the branch chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akyem-Swedru-Asramase area.
The injured, who are on admission at the Akyem Swedru Government Hospital, are yet to be identified.
The stone-throwing mob, who attacked policemen on duty, damaged two police patrol vehicles.
They set part of the Omanhene’s palace ablaze, completely destroying documents and equipment, including files and computers at the office of the registrar of the Akyem Swedru Traditional Council.
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident at Akyem Swedru, the Oda Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent James Sarfo-Peprah, said at dawn yesterday the police had information that a mob, led by the Asafoatse of the Akyem Swedru Traditional Area, Nana Kofi Sintim, had besieged the Omanhene’s palace at Akyem Swedru.
He said the Omanhene, Okotwasuo Kantamanto Oworae Agyekum, and his elders were in the palace pouring libation for the Akwasidae celebration when the mob attacked them with stones.
He stated that the mob overpowered the 10 policemen who were at the palace to maintain law and order and set part of the palace ablaze.
Later, the police called for reinforcement from Oda, Akwatia, Asamankese and the Jungle Welfare School at Akyem Achiase to contain the situation.
“The mob was not deterred by the heavy police/military presence and attacked the security personnel with stones,” Chief Supt Sarfo-Peprah stated.
He said the mob smashed the windscreens of two police patrol vehicles.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested and detained 14 people to assist in investigations while the body of Yankey has been deposited at the morgue of the Oda Government Hospital.
In an interview, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Kwabena Wiredu, said Yankey died as a result of head injuries he sustained from the assault.
