Residents and indigenous people of Akyem Bontodiase in the Akyemansa District of the Eastern region are presently living in fear, arising from activities of gunmen in their community.
In accordance with the report, on Monday, October 7, 2024, some residents woke up early in the morning to witness an unlawful attack by some gunmen and hoodlums who are perceived to be land guards imported from the Greater Accra region.
During a visit to the Akyem Bontodiase community on Tuesday, the Daily Searchlight correspondent engaged with residents who were attacked by the unknown hoodlums. They told of how some fully armed and built men forced their way into their residence, beaten them, and carried out their dried cocoa beans without giving them any explanation.
The people alleged that the hoodlums have been deployed into the community as a result of chieftaincy disputes hovering in the community.
The victims have called IGP Dr. George Akufo Danpare to come to their aid immediately following reporting the issue to Ofoase police, but no police officer has visited the community in order to figure out the cause.
Chieftaincy Dispute
The community, which has a population of less than 20,000, is presently led by two chiefs, as far as Daily Searchlight is aware after the royal family of the community announced the removal of their chief, Obrempong Adarkwah Gyamena II, and the installation of Nana Obeng Akari Asiedu II as their new chief.
This has caused confusion within the community and rifts among the locals.
It was observed that those who were victims of atrocities by hoodlums and gunmen were those who dared to back Nana Obeng Akari Asiedu, the recently installed chief.
Furthermore, it was reported that thugs and gunmen attempted to attack Nana Obeng Akari Asiedu as they broke into his house; fortunately, he was not present.
Depending on the information acquired, the cocoa beans that the Hoodlums are reportedly stealing originate from the community farm.
Indicted
On the basis of this, one fashion of the chiefs of the Akyem Bontodiase, Nana Obeng Akari Asiedu II, has accused his rival chief, Obrempong Adarkwah Gyamena II, of being involved in the occurrences.
He has called on the police and the paramount chief of the Akyem Kotoku traditional area to get involved and ensure that the law is followed in this instance.
Response
The other accused chief, Obrempong Adarkwah Gyamena II has denied anything has to do with bringing hoodlums to attack residents of Akyem Bontodiase and attributes it to hatred from the other side.
View the incident’s video below.
