Police prevent renewal of conflict at Old Tafo

There was a near re-enactment of the reprisal attacks between the two youth groups that hit Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region some four months ago when the girlfriend of the deceased in the earlier disturbances, Iddrisu Hajara, was lampooned by a resident who described her as the ‘widow’ of a ‘deceased armed robber.’

The accused, identified only as Junior, ridiculed Hajara during a verbal exchange, allegedly saying that her late boyfriend, Suleman Hamisu, was killed by the police because he was an armed robber.

The Tafo Pankrono District Police Commander, Police Superintendent Kwaku Amoako, who confirmed the story to the Daily Graphic last Wednesday, said although the police considered the matter trivial, it would still go ahead to investigate it based on Hajara’s complaint.

Indeed, Hajara was reported to have informed her late lover’s friend of the supposed insult. The friend, together with others, allegedly stormed a popular pub called ‘Abrantie Spot’ to vent their spleen on the said Junior who was suspected to be in the bar.

However, the group did not meet the suspect but left a word with one of the attendants at the bar of their intention to track and ‘deal’ with Junior.

Following the threat, the Pankrono police have been put on alert as they strategise to avert a repeat of the ugly incident that happened in March this year.

Background

Four months ago, a group of Zongo youth attacked the Old Tafo chief’s palace for apparently issuing instructions to dismantle a wall being built around a Muslim cemetery in the town.

A statement from the palace explained that the youth had gone beyond the parcel of land allocated to them by the chief.

The matter later degenerated into a conflict between the Zongo youth group and the chiefs and his subjects. It took the efforts of a combined team of police and military personnel to restore order to the area.

Casualties

Hamisu was said to have died in the course of the disturbances. A church and a mosque were burnt down while houses belonging to both sides were also attacked and properties destroyed.

Curfew

An initial 6 p.m. to 6a.m. curfew was imposed on the people by the Ashanti Regional Security Council but later reviewed to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. until it was completely lifted following an improvement in the situation.