Reports suggest that a chief in Millennium City, Kasoa, allegedly fired the fatal shots that led to the killing of a military officer amidst a land dispute.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the community and has raised concerns about the increasing violence associated with land-related disagreements.
According to information from Citi News based in Accra, the conflict arose from a land dispute involving the brother of one of the military officers. Allegedly, the brother had purchased land from certain chiefs in Millennium City but faced fierce opposition from landguards whenever he tried to develop the property.
In an attempt to resolve the dispute, the deceased military officer, accompanied by two colleagues, visited the contested land. Despite previously reporting the issue to the Millennium City District Police Command, their efforts to address the situation peacefully were unsuccessful.
Arriving at the scene in a Toyota Rav 4 with registration number GR 3591-24, the officers encountered individuals working on the land. As they sought to halt the activity and lodge another complaint at the District Police station, they were confronted by the Gyasehene of Millennium City, identified as Benlord Ababio.
Witnesses described a tense confrontation between the military officers and the chief, during which the latter allegedly urged the former not to proceed to the Divisional Police Command. Disregarding the plea, the officers continued on their path, leading the alleged assailant to fire shots at their vehicle from behind.
“I saw the incident happen right in front of me. The Chief, Benload Ababio met the military officers at the District Police station and was trying to speak to them not to go to the Divisional Police Command but they didn’t listen.
“While they were heading to the Divisional command just after moving their vehicle the Gyamehene Benlord Ababio fired at their vehicle just behind them leading to one of the officers dying in the process.
Two other officers escaped unhurt but the chief was arrested immediately after the incident and sent to the Divisional Police Command.
Eyewitnesses recounted to citinewsroom.com that the police later transferred the accused chief to the Accra Division due to concerns about potential retaliation from local landguards.
Tragically, one of the officers lost his life due to the injuries sustained during the gunfire, while the other two escaped unscathed.
Promptly apprehended at the scene by law enforcement officers, the accused chief was swiftly transferred to the Accra Division amidst fears of reprisals from local landguards.
As investigations into the incident continue, the identity of the deceased officer remains undisclosed. Shock and disbelief enveloped bystanders as the grim aftermath unfolded, sparking speculation about the underlying reasons behind the deadly altercation.
Despite the gravity of the situation, official statements from authorities have yet to be released, leaving many questions unanswered and exacerbating tensions within the community.
With the investigation ongoing, residents of Kasoa are left to mourn the loss of life and grapple with the repercussions of violence erupting over contentious land ownership disputes.