Police investigate recent clashes at Agbogbloshie

Page 13: Daily Graphic, February 12, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE police administration says it is following some leads which suggest that the recent Agbogbloshie clashes could have been stoked more by ethnicity and chieftaincy disputes, rather than political factors.
This, it said, followed the forceful arrest of the chief of the Abudus in Agbogbloshie by a group of youngmen who dumped him at the premises of the Old Fadama Police last Sunday.
Natsina Issah Iddi Abass, 51, identified as the chief of the Abudu gate of the Dagbons at Agbogbloshie, was allegedly arrested and dumped at the police station after he allegedly resisted an invitation to the police because the police had declared him wanted.
According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian T. Yohunu, the youth abandoned the chief at the police station and took to their heels without a word.
He said Natsina Abass told the police upon interrogation that the youth claimed that the police had asked them (youth) to arrest and bring him to the police station.
ACP Yohunu said there were, however, no records at the Old Fadama or James Town Police stations indicating that the chief was wanted by the police.
He said the police were looking for the suspects to assist in investigations.
ACP Yohunu said due to a scuffle which ensued during his arrest, the chief sustained some injuries and was subsequently issued with a medical form to seek treatment.
He said the police had increased its presence in the area with the stationing of a Water Canon vehicle to monitor the situation and also maintain law and order.