Four Killed In Komkomba Market

Mohammed Alhassan, IGP

Four persons are reportedly killed and several others injured following a clash between two rival groups at the Konkomba market in Accra.

The four, according to eyewitness accounts, were butchered to death while one other had his hand cut off by his attackers, at about 8:15 am yesterday.

Police reports have since confirmed the death of two, but eyewitnesses indicated that four persons lost their lives in the attack, the real cause of which could not be told as at press time yesterday.

While some speculated that the clash was between some NDC/NPP sympathizers, others said it came about as a result of a misunderstanding between two rival groups.

An eyewitness told DAILY GUIDE that he was at the James Town Police Station when a gentleman rushed to the charge office to lodge a complaint that a gang had attacked his elder brother and cut off his hand.

James Town police patrol team was dispatched to the scene to calm down the situation but upon reaching there, four persons had already been butchered to death by the attackers and bolted.

Fearing that the attack could escalate, the police called for an enforcement team from the Accra Regional Police Command to help maintain peace in the area.

According to the eyewitness, information indicated that the clash was started by two men who were fighting over a used cloth.

Regarding the one whose fist was chopped off, the eyewitness said he was assaulted by another person for allegedly stealing his (attacker's) shirt.

This brought a misunderstanding between the two boys, but they were separated after one was seriously wounded.

The wounded person purportedly went to the Konkomba market to mobilize his men, numbering about 80, and wielding machetes and pistols, to attack the suspected thief, cutting off his hand and burning down his motorbike in the process.

The suspected thief also informed his men, who also joined in the fight, leading to the death of the four men.

When the enforcement team was dispatched to the area, the four persons, yet to be identified, were lying in pools of blood.

The attackers, according to the eyewitness, had bolted at the time the police got to the scene.

Meanwhile, when DAILY GUIDE contacted ASP Efia Tenge, the Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, she insisted that two persons were discovered lying in pools of blood unconscious after the clash.

Amongst the two, one was declared dead, but the other was alive and so they were all rushed to the Police Hospital for treatment.

She said, 'Information received indicated that a gang of irate youth numbering about 80 and armed with pistols, machetes attacked residents of the area destroying properties of residents.'

Police presence was still in the area to ensure that peace prevailed.

No one has been arrested over the bloody disturbance, she added.

By Linda Tenyah
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