Tension gripped Nsuaem in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region when angry youth clashed with police officers over an alleged child abduction case, leaving several people injured and property destroyed. The incident also led to the temporary closure of the Nsuaem Police Station.
According to police reports, the chaos began when a 25-year-old man identified as Sulley Moses was allegedly seen behaving suspiciously with two schoolchildren near the Nivo Filling Station. Eyewitnesses said a shopkeeper raised an alarm after spotting the suspect attempting to forcibly take the children into a vehicle.
With the help of nearby residents and a female police officer, the suspect was apprehended and escorted to the Nsuaem Police Station.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the children, aged 7 and 5, told officers the suspect had grabbed one of them by the hand as they tried to walk away. Based on this account, police detained the suspect for further questioning.
However, news of the arrest quickly spread through the community, prompting a mob of more than 500 residents to storm the police station. Armed with stones and other weapons, they demanded that the suspect be released to them for instant “justice.”
The crowd blocked the Takoradi–Tarkwa highway, burned tyres, and pelted stones at the police station. Officers stood their ground, insisting that the suspect would be processed according to the law. Their refusal further enraged the crowd, escalating the confrontation.
The clashes left three police officers and four civilians injured, while a police vehicle, parts of the station building, and several impounded motorbikes were vandalized and set on fire. Police fired warning shots in an attempt to disperse the mob.
Reinforcement teams, supported by the military, were later deployed to restore order and secure the facility. All police personnel at Nsuaem were subsequently evacuated for safety reasons, and the station has since been temporarily closed. The suspect was transferred to the Tarkwa Regional Police Headquarters for continued investigation.
One civilian who sustained serious injuries was referred to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital for treatment.
In a statement, the Western Central Regional Police Command condemned the attack, describing it as a “lawless and unjustified act,” and assured residents that those involved in the violence will face prosecution.
“The Command assures the public that all perpetrators will be identified, arrested, and brought to justice,” the statement read.
Calm has since been restored to Nsuaem, though security remains heightened as investigations continue. Authorities have urged residents to remain peaceful and allow due process to prevail.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
