The Ghana Police Service has arrested 49 additional people in connection with attacks on the Bepong Chief’s palace and some police officers at Kwahu Bepong in the Eastern Region.
The Police Service earlier apprehended 22 individuals in connection with the attack, bringing the total number of suspects so far arrested to 71.
The suspects, together with some others currently on the run, attacked the Bepong Chief’s Palace on February 4, 2024, and injured seven people, including five police officers.
They also vandalized a police vehicle and six police motorbikes, as well as three private vehicles. The suspects also caused damage to sections of the palace and an adjoining building.
Upon initial investigation and screening of the suspects, 40 of them, who have so far been identified as having played various roles in the attacks and have been linked to available evidence, have been detained to assist in the investigation.
The police officers came under attack at the palace when they were called on February 4, 2024, to take over a murder suspect, one Kwasi Nyarko, who had been arrested by some community members and sent to the Bepong Chief’s Palace awaiting the arrival of the Police.
Some members of the community, including those in police custody, who had heard about the arrest of suspect Kwasi Nyarko had besieged the palace in the hopes of lynching the suspect.
However, when the police prevented them from lynching the suspect, they rather attacked the police, throwing stones and other implements at them.
The police reported that a reinforcement team, collaborating with the local police, has successfully restored calm and normalized the situation.
Efforts are underway to apprehend additional suspects, ensuring they face legal consequences.
The police service has committed to providing comprehensive details of the incident in due course as they continue their investigations.
Meanwhile, the Kwahu South Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has mandated the closure of schools in Kwahu-Bepong after a shooting incident on Sunday, February 4.
