One person has been shot dead while three others sustained gunshot wounds after violent attack during rituals to lift ban on noise making ahead of celebration of this year’s Odwira festival in Aburi -Ahwerase in Akuapem South Municipality in Eastern Region.
The injured individuals are receiving treatment at the Presbyterian Hospital in Aburi.
Meanwhile Police have arrested 34 young men who engaged in the deadly gun violence in the community to disrupt the rituals, and have also retrieved some weapons used for the attack.
The incident occurred On the 22nd of October at about 11 a.m when Nana Semeshia Ohene Asah Krofa II, Abakomahene Asona family of Ahwerase attempted to performed rituals to lift the ban on noisemaking and to pave way for the beginning of the Odwira festival.
In the process a misunderstanding broke out between the Abakomahene and the Baamuhene of Ahwerase about who was the rightful person to perform the said ritual.
Some young men opened gunfire shooting four persons.
One of the victims died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command,Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh said Police arrested 34 suspects who are in custody in Aburi assisting investigations.
He said two weapons -a pump-action gun and a pistol have been retrieved.
“When we conclude our investigations, we are going to ensure that the law takes its course and the persons who have been arrested are taken through the due process to serve as a deterrent to other persons who are bent on fomenting troubles and creating problems this year, especially with regards to the celebration of the Odwira festival”.said Superintendent Ebenezer Tetteh.
He emphasized that “the police are going to ensure that nobody takes the law into his own hands and the security of the area before, during and after the festival is ensured”.
He said security has been intensified to fish out any miscreant who comes to the Akuapem area to forment trouble during this year’s Odwira festival.
“We want to assure everybody that we will do everything within our power to ensure that persons go about their duties during the celebration, before, during and after without any neglect or hindrance, humiliation or affection”.
