Police arrest 10 over Adambrobe chieftaincy tensions after weapons seizure

Ten people are in police custody after a security operation in the Aburi area uncovered a cache of weapons allegedly linked to the festering chieftaincy dispute at Adambrobe in Ghana’s Eastern Region.

The Aburi District Command carried out the operation on Sunday, May 3, acting on intelligence tied to the ongoing succession conflict in the area. The Eastern Regional Police Command confirmed the arrests in a statement issued by its Public Affairs Unit.

A collection of five black firearms arranged on a tiled surface.

Those picked up span a range of occupations and backgrounds. Named among the suspects are Dawu Joseph, a farmer; Kwame Aboagye, a vulcanizer; Samuel Obeng, a taxi driver; Owusu Paul, a member of the Adambrobe Asekyere family; and Jerry John Kwame Atilla, a businessman based in Sowutuom. The remaining five, Evans Dekadzor, Christian Atsu, Samuel Annan, Thomas Davidson and Richard Agyeman, are all said to be private security personnel.

A search conducted during the operation yielded five pump-action rifles, twenty-three live cartridges, a taser, six mobile phones and a body armour. Two vehicles were also seized in connection with the arrests.

A black backpack and assorted items laid out on a tiled floor, including several mobile phones, a handgun, handcuffs, and numerous shotgun shells.

“Two vehicles were also impounded; one unregistered Ford pickup and a Toyota Corolla with registration number GE 2560-19 which were used to transport the suspects,” the police statement said.

A day after the initial swoop, a separate individual, identified as Douglas Amoako Danquah, was arrested on Monday, May 4, after he was allegedly spotted in a procession within the township. Police, however, clarified that the total number of persons in custody in connection with the case remains ten.

Press release from the Ghana Police regarding the arrest of ten individuals in Adambrobo for possession of arms and ammunition linked to a chieftaincy dispute.

All suspects are currently being held as investigations continue. The Eastern Regional Command used the opportunity to appeal for calm among all parties entangled in the dispute, warning that law enforcement would not stand by in the face of armed provocation.

“The Eastern Regional Police Command continues to assure the public of our continued commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Adambrobe,” the statement said.