A misunderstanding that ensued between a traditional priest (spiritualist) and a commercial motorcycle rider at Kwapong in the Asunafo South District in the Brong Ahafo Region has resulted in the death of three persons, while the local police station has been vandalised.
The deceased have been identified as Efo Kojo, the fetish priest; Frimpong Donkor, the commercial motorcycle rider, and Kwadwo Wiafe, alleged to have been killed by a stray bullet fired by the police last Friday night to disperse a crowd.
Issifu Kabore, who is alleged to be among the youth who vandalised the police station, was also injured by the warning gunshot by the police.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Goaso Government Hospital mortuary pending further police investigations into the case.
The incident happened a few days after a shooting incident in Tuobodom in the Techiman South District, also in the Brong Ahafo Region, during which five died and eight others sustained injuries, while some houses were set ablaze.
Misunderstanding
An eyewitness told the Daily Graphic that Efo Kojo engaged Donkor to use his motorcycle to cart Efo’s goods, but after the job had been done, there was a misunderstanding between the two on the payment of the agreed fee.
In the ensuing argument, Efo is alleged to have stabbed Donkor to death, after which he was arrested and detained at the local police station.
Incensed by Donkor’s murder, the youth of the town stormed the police station and demanded Efo’s release for them to deal with him.
When the police refused to accede to their demands, the youth forcibly entered the police station, vandalised the place before taking Efo out of the cell, lynched him and thereafter burnt his body.
The eyewitness said the police responded to the action of the youth with warning shots, one of which strayed and killed Wiafe, who was standing about 50 metres away from the scene of the incident, while another shot injured Kabore, alleged to be part of the youth who vandalised the police station.
Police arrest
The Brong Ahafo Regional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent Alhaji Mahama Arhin, told the Daily Graphic that Kabore had been arrested.
After being injured through the gunshot, Kabore was taken to the Bibiani Government Hospital in the Western Region, near Kwapong, but his family members later took him to the Nkawie Government Hospital in the Ashanti Region.
But the police traced his whereabouts, arrested him and sent him to the Sunyani Regional Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment under police guard.
However, two people who escaped when the youth vandalised the police and killed the fetish priest have not been found.
Supt Arhin said while the Kwapong Police had run away from the town, a police reinforcement had been sent to Kwapong from Goaso to maintain law and order, adding that the town was currently calm, with people going about their normal duties.
