2 Injured As TOPP Guards Clash With Youth

A NUMBER of persons were injured, one seriously, and property estimated at millions of cedis belonging to the Twifo Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) were destroyed during a clash between workers of Delta Company, a private security company and some angry youth of Twifo Ntafrewaso following a misunder-standing.

Michael Ayivi of the Delta company, who was among security officers keeping guard at the TOPP, was hit on the jaw with a big stone, while Ayawo, a youth of Ntafrewasso was slashed with a sharp knife.

Property destroyed included a security gate, louver blades, a motorbike, a vehicle and sets of documents. A block near the golf course belonging to the TOPP was also set ablaze.

The incident was sparked off by a scuffle between a group of Delta Security personnel and some youth of Twifo Ntafrewaso. The police had to move in to restore law and order. Investigations are going on.

Inspector Benjamin Dusi of the Delta Company told the GNA that he was deploying his men at vantage points in the TOPP plantation when he spotted a KIA truck traveling at a top speed on the plantation.

He said the Delta Security personnel signaled the driver to stop but he sped off and his men chased the truck to Ntafrewaso where they confronted the driver for driving recklessly.

Inspector Dusi said that Mr Ebenezer Oduro, Assembly member of the town who came to the scene, took him to the chief’s palace for the case to be settled. While at the palace, they heard a riot outside involving Delta Security6 guards and some of the youth resulting in the injuries.

Mr Kwaku Awuku, Human Resource Manager of TOPP, for his side, said Mr Frederick Cudjoe, driver of Delta security who thought the life of Inspector Dusi was in danger, drove back to TOPP and mobilised some of the security personnel to the palace.

He said the arrival of the Delta Security men with offensive weapons provoked a clash between them and the youth of the town.

As the fight intensified, a Delta driver moved his vehicle away from the scene and later stopped at Gyaman Junction to enable the security guards to board it.

He said a few moments after the vehicle had left the place a mob from Ntafrewaso arrived at the TOPP gate and attempted to attack the guards who fled. A stone thrown by one of the youths hit Michael on his jaw.

During the stampede, the mob attacked the main office security boot, smashed louvers and vandalised the offices.

The mob also smashed louvers at the TOPP Police Station and the clinic.

A team of policemen led by Mrs Rose Bio Atinga, Central Regional Police Commander soon arrived at the scene with their Praso counterparts to restore order.

No arrests have been made but some people who were involved in the riot have been invited to report to the Regional Commander.

Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Agyeibie Kessie, District Chief Executive for Twifo-Heman-Lower Denkyira, has met the chiefs and elders of Ntafrewaso and management of TOPP to resolve the matter.