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05.12.2007 General News

Gang Slaying In Kumasi

By Daily Guide
Gang Slaying In Kumasi
05.12.2007 LISTEN

THE ASHANTI Regional Police Command has started hunting for a group of gangsters suspected to have murdered a young man at South Suntreso, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The deceased was allegedly slain by the group on Saturday 24th November, 2007.

Briefing the press at his office in Kumasi, the acting Regional Police Commander, ACP Seth Charles Oteng noted that the gangsters, after committing the dastardly act, went into hiding.

He said though no arrests had been made so far, the police had invited four persons for questioning in connection with the murder.

The acting Regional Police Chief disclosed that the police were closing in on the group and would soon apprehend them for the law to take its course.

He therefore enjoined members of the public who might have vital information on the whereabouts of the group to volunteer it to the police.

Explaining the circumstances that led to the murder of 26-year-old Jordan Osei Yaw, ACP Seth Oteng said the police picked up signals indicating that the deceased, until his untimely death, belonged to one of two opposing groups of gangsters from Ash-Town and Bantama, operating in the metropolis. Members of each gang were said to be fighting against those of the other.

According to the Police Commander, the two gangster groups clashed sometime ago and in the process, the Ash-Town group succeeded in inflicting various degrees of injury on members of the Bantama group who vowed to retaliate as they always did.

ACP Seth Oteng disclosed that on 24th November this year, the Bantama Group, comprising Kwame Appiah, leader, and other members including Kwadwo Poku, the leader's junior brother, Dauda, Marcus, Moses, Gyempeh and Agyankugya, proceeded to South Suntreso where the deceased resided and butchered him to death, while he was fast asleep around 10:30 p.m.

The Police Commander lamented that in their rush to carry through their nefarious activity, one member of the notorious faction, Kwadwo Poku alias Kutany sustained a deep cutlass wound on his left wrist and as they fled the crime scene, he bled profusely until he became unconscious.

He said Kutany's accomplices later conveyed him to County Clinic at Abrepo where he was transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) because of the critical nature of his condition.

ACP Oteng noted with regret that though the accomplices had blood stains all over their bodies, it did not dawn on the hospital authorities that the group had participated in a criminal activity.

He said the medical personnel took care of Kutany till he was discharged the next day, 25th November.

The acting commander averred that had the police been notified of the admission of the suspect in the hospital, the perpetrators of the heinous crime could have been apprehended with ease.

The Regional Commander noted that a vehicle with registration number GR 3574 G belonging to suspect Kwadwo Poku, which was used in the operation, had been impounded with blood stains on the seat, steering wheel and dashboard.

The Police Chief hinted that they were reliably informed that the other faction from Ash-Town was massing up and preparing for a counter-attack.

ACP Oteng warned the group, pointing out that the police would not look on unconcerned for the security of the state to be breached by any individual or group.

The Regional Police Commander commented on an incident which occurred on 8th August this year where one Richard Agyeman, also from Ash-Town, had his right arm chopped off and right eye completely damaged, in similar gangster style.

He said unfortunately, the police could not arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

ACP Oteng promised to clamp down on activities of gangsters which he indicated were gaining ground in the Kumasi metropolis.

From Morgan Owusu

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