Police have arrested 69 persons including two women suspected to be involved in the murder of a Malian at Odomase, near Sunyani, in a dawn swoop on Wednesday.

Assistant Commander of Police (ACP) Mr George Oppong Asante, Brong-Ahafo Police Commander, told newsmen that the suspects would be screened and those found innocent would be discharged.

The Police Commander appealed to residents of Odomase, who are reported to be angry following the arrests and have threatened to cause mayhem, to remain calm for peace to prevail in the town.

He assured foreigners living in and around Sunyani of police protection "since the laws of the country seek the welfare of all and the police will not allow any group of people to take the law into their own hands."

Meanwhile it is alleged that two suspects in the murder case are on the run.

An irate mob at Odomase last Saturday lynched a Malian, Ibrahim Karim, and set the body ablaze.

Karim, also known as Kwadwo Zambrama, was said to have inflicted cutlass wounds on a young man, Seth Lamba, during a quarrel.

The police arrested Karim after the incident but released him the same day and this did not go down well with the inhabitants who vowed to discipline Karim.