7 Arrested for murder of two policemen at Drobonso

The Ashanti Regional Police command has arrested seven Fulanis for their alleged involvement in the killing of two policemen at Drobonso in the Ashanti Region last Thursday.

The seven were arrested in their hideouts at Kwamang in the Ashanti Region and also at Jema, Yeji, Techiman and Prang all in the Brong Ahafo Region. Two other suspected members of the gang, are being pursued by the police.

According to the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Mr Ken Yeboah, four of those arrested were involved in robbery and the murder of the policemen, as well as other travellers, while two were cattle owners and financiers of the gang.

He said the other person sells and distributes weapons to the gang.

Two shot guns, a locally manufactured pistol and 17 cartridges were retrieved from them, he stated, explaining that the motive of the killing was to avenge attacks on Fulani herdsmen by the security forces in the Agogo area as well as to rob them of their weapons.

He said the police were still investigating the matter and was ,therefore, withholding the names of those arrested for now.

Mr Yeboah assured the public that the police would do all within its powers to bring the murderers of the police officers to face justice as well as bring down the level of crime in the region.

The regional police commander has, therefore, appealed to the public to volunteer information regarding the activities of suspected criminals in their communities.

Background

Three policemen, Constable Prosper Ashinyo, Constable Enoch Okyere and Inspector Adolph Mutse had completed their night duties at Drobonso and were returning to Kumawu at about 5a.m. when they were attacked and shot by a gang on the Kumawu-Drobonso main road on the Onwam Mountains.

Constable Ashinyo and Inspector Mutse died on the spot while Constable Okyere who sustained serious injuries is receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

The killers, numbering about eight wielded AK 47 assault rifles which they used in the killing of the police officers.

 Security men

On Friday, January 12, 2017,a joint team of 200 military and police personnel with the support of three helicopters, was dispatched to Agogo to flush out nomadic herdsmen with instructions to shoot and kill any Fulani herdsman who points a gun at them.

As of Saturday, January 13, over 100 cattle had been killed by the team.

The joint security team has beefed up the team already on the ground and executing ‘Operation Cow Leg’ which is driving out Fulani herdsmen causing havoc to farms in the Agogo area.

‘Operation Cowleg’ is also to execute a 2012 Kumasi High Court ruling that gave orders to the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to flush out all cattle from Agogo.