Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - The Chiefs and people of Apesokubi Traditional Area in the Volta Region, have demanded the immediate release of 26 persons arrested in a dawn police and military swoop on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

They explained that the arrest followed the recent tragic shooting of a young man and the setting ablaze of a car at Apesokubi on December 29, 2011. In addition, they claimed that: “The Police and military swoop, which is generally believed to have been politically motivated and tele-guided was reportedly characterised by high-handedness and needless display of force by the police and military officers and men who undertook the exercise”.

Nana Kwadwo Osafo-Acquah III, Amankrado of Apesokubi Traditional Area, at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, warned government of the mounting tension in the area as a result of the arrest which had the tendency of exploding into an advanced conflict to undermine the peaceful co-existence of people in the area. He was flanked by a host of his sub-chiefs, including Nana Kwabena Aduam III, Kyidomhene and Nana Yaw Denteh III, Ankobiahene and some concerned Accra-based citizens from the area and they were all clad in black and red clothes to symbolise their rage towards the situation.

Nana Osafo-Acquah appealed to the Inspector General of Police to order immediate investigations into the whole incident to ascertain why the informants who were civilians joined the operation and were provided with police uniforms to disguise their identity.

He called for the immediate removal of Mr Louis Akattah, Biakoye District Chief Executive, from office, to ensure independent investigations.

Nana Osafo-Acquah stated that the chiefs and youth of Apesokubi Traditional Area had firmly resolved to use all lawful and available means to defend, protect and preserve their traditional position, rights and privileges.