BA police probe murder of pregnant woman

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Command has begun investigations into an incident that led to the murder of a 35-year-old pregnant woman, Fati Alhassan and the injury of a military officer, W.O. Boakye during an attack on Nkrankwanta Police Station in the Dormaa West District.

The 35-year-old four-month pregnant woman was shot dead at Paulkrom near Nyameama, a farming community while coming out from her room last Wednesday at about 11:30am.

The police command has so far arrested Anabila Alepooko, alias Koo Red, for allegedly killing his friend’s wife in a disagreement over the ownership of a cocoa farm.

Realising the effect of the crime, Alepooko fled into the bush during which he attempted suicide by drinking a substance suspected to be DDT.

A search by some community policemen led to his arrest at his hideout at a nearby cemetery during which he complained of stomachache.

He was found to have taken the poisonous substance when he was sent to the hospital after he had complained of pains in his stomach.

The suspect allegedly told the police that the deceased pregnant woman had been challenging him over the ownership of a cocoa farm which was a subject of disagreement between him and the deceased’s husband, one Kofi Alhassan.

Instant justice                                                                                                                                                                                   When news of the suspect’s arrest spread through the community, some youth besieged the Nkrankwanta District Police Station demanding his release for instant justice to be meted out to him.

The youth who stormed the police station started throwing stones and sticks toward the direction of the police station.

During the incident, a military officer who was at the scene to save life and property was hit on the head and chest with a block.

W.O. Boakye who fell unconscious, was rushed to the Dormaa-Ahenkro Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

Arrest
Confirming the incident to Graphic Online, the Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong said Alepooko was arrested by some community policemen with the help of residents.

He said he was detained at the Nkrankwanta Police Station, adding that because of the agitation by the angry youth demanding instant justice, the suspect was later transferred to Dormaa Ahenkro to protect his life.

Chief Inspector Oppong said after interrogations, the suspect admitted to killing the pregnant Fati Alhassan.

Chief Inspector Oppong said when the police visited the crime scene, they retrieved the body which was lying in a pool of blood, explaining that checks conducted revealed a deep gunshot wound on the right side of the body under her breast.

The body has since been deposited at the Dormaa Ahenkro Presbyterian Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Chief Inspector Oppong said the suspect was responding to treatment under police guard and would face the law after his discharge.

He indicated that calm had been restored in the community while the command had begun investigating the incident with the help of the suspect.