The police in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region have arrested five persons in connection with violence that broke out in front of the police station on the Bolgatanga-Zuarungu road, leading to the death of two persons, Anaba Adomolga and Thomas.
Those arrested are the Assembly Member for Yorogo, Peter Adongo, 40; Walter Amesiya, 30; Joseph Adongo, 20; Nyaba Nsor, 30, and Francis Anafo, 24.
A police source said the suspects allegedly incited the youth of Yorogo to attack the police station and throw stones at police personnel stationed there.
They further encouraged them to dump the body of James Akotongo, a native of Yorogo who was knocked down by a vehicle in town, on the premises of the police station.
It said the youth became infuriated because the police refused to grant the suspects bail. In the midst of the confusion, two persons are alleged to have lost their lives, but the police have denied any involvement in their death.
Incidents
According to the police source, it all began last Thursday, June 22, 2017, when a vehicle with registration number GW 7999 C, belonging to a mortuary attendant with the Upper East Regional Hospital, Mr Daniel Alhassan Azaar, knocked down Akotongo, 34, at Yorogo killing him instantly.
Irate youth of Yorogo got incensed with Mr Azaar, also a native of the area, who according to them had the habit of knocking people down with his motor vehicle. They, therefore, burnt the motorbike.
The following day when the family of the deceased arrived at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for his body, the youth once again attacked Mr Azaar in his house located close to the hospital.
It said the police received a distress call and with support from the military, they quickly rushed to the scene to restore law and order and arrested the five suspects.
The source said the family of the deceased was able to carry the body away to Yorogo for burial.
Meanwhile, some angry youths and residents of Yorogo wanted the police to grant the suspects bail and when that failed, they brought the body which was in a coffin to the police station and pelted the police with stones.
Deaths
The situation compelled some police personnel to fire warning shots to disperse the crowd.
According to the police source, two persons were allegedly hit by stray bullets and they died. The first to die was Adomolga and was followed by Thomas.
Thomas was rushed to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital and was later transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for further treatment where he died.
Denial
The Bolgatanga Municipal Police Command has, however, denied any involvement in the death of Adomolga and Thomas but had stated that investigations were being conducted into the matter.
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