Death toll in Akooko violent clash 3
THREE persons were yesterday shot dead following a violent clash between members of the Akyem-Akooko community and supporters of a fetish priest in the town, Nana Saaka.
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Nine other people, including three policemen, were also injured from the gunshots fired during the violent clash.
Four persons have also been arrested to assist in investigations.
Some members of the community were said to be agitating for the removal of Nana Saaka, whom they claimed had been murdering people in the area for rituals.
The names of the deceased are yet to be known, but they are two women and a man.
Situation on the ground
A joint police and military team is currently patrolling the town to maintain law and order.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Akuriba Yaagy, appealed to the residents to remain calm while investigations continued into the case.
He assured the residents that the security personnel on the ground were there to ensure peace and protect life and property.
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Durbar
Information gathered by the Daily Graphic from the community indicated that there had been a gathering of chiefs, queens and the people of Akyem-Akooko yesterday morning waiting to query Nana Saaka about the allegation but the fetish priest never showed up.
Angered by the snub of the fetish priest, some members of the community, sporting red bands and regalia, organised a demonstration to banish the fetish priest from Akyem-Akooko for disrespecting their traditional rulers and also allegedly killing people for rituals which, according to them, was an abomination.
Gunshots
It was alleged that supporters of the fetish priest started firing gunshots upon seeing the crowd.
It was during the ensuing melee that the three persons were shot before the police got to the scene.
Members of the community allegedly retaliated by setting ablaze the residence, the shrine and the car of the fetish priest.
Nana Saaka’s whereabouts were still unknown as of the time of filing this report.
The Odikro and queen of the town were said to have also taken cover.
The police, who later got to the scene, were also not spared as three officers who were shot are currently in critical condition at the Tafo Government Hospital.