Scores of young people at Tafo in the Ashanti Region on Thursday gathered in front of the Chief’s palace, in anticipation of possible attacks from Muslim youth in the area.
Meanwhile the police have confirmed the arrest of one person who was firing gunshots indiscriminately today [Thursday] in the company of a gang.
The gang members managed to escape but he was nabbed.
A clash in the area over a piece of cemetery land led to the death of 25 year old Aminu Sulemana, with several others injured and property destroyed on Wednesday, after the Muslim youth attacked the chief’s palace.
This was after the demolition of a fence wall built by the Muslims to protect the cemetery land which they claim belongs to them.
A mosque and some churches were reportedly destroyed in the clashes. The Ashanti Regional Security Council on Wednesday imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in order to protect lives and property.
Despite the security measure, Citi News’ Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Hawa Iddrisu, says there is still simmering tension in the area.
She quotes the youth as saying that they are there to protect the palace from being attacked by the Muslim youth because they have heard that after the burial of their friend today [Thursday], they will make sure they fight for the deceased.
But the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye, has told Citi News the police is earnestly investigating the incident and will bring the perpetrators to book.
“So far everything is clam but there is still tension here. We appeal to the factions that is, the Muslims and the indigenes of Tafo to keep their cools as REGSEC solves the problem. But I must insist that nobody will be allowed to take the law into his own hands. We have some news we are going to arrest them. In the morning because of the tensed situation, we couldn’t arrest anyone for strategic reasons. The curfew is going to be enforced rigidly and I pray nobody falls foul.”
REGSEC’s reasons for imposing the curfew
As part of measures to contain the escalating violence at Tafo and part of the Magazine area of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Security Council has decided to impose a dusk to dawn curfew from 6pm to 6am starting from today Wednesday 10th February, 2016.
All persons within the vicinity of Tafo are entreated to observe this directive by remaining indoors in order to help protect life and property. Security forces are on the ground to enforce the order and any person found in the area during the curfew hours would be delt with ruthlessly.
The public is also hereby assured that the necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure maximum security and safety within the area and there should be no panic but to remain calm as the security forces are in full control of the situation.
REGSEC is monitoring closely the measures put in place and would review the situation and issue further directives as the situation improves. We trust that all persons will co-operate to help ease the tension and bring the situation back to normalcy.
Signed PETER ANARFI MENSAH CHAIRMAN-REGSEC
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AfanyiDadzie