General News of Thursday, 4 October 2007

Source: GNA

Stolen AK 47 rifles recovered

Teleku Bokazu (W/R), Oct. 4, GNA- The two AK 47 rifles stolen from two Policemen at Teleko Bokazu near Nkroful in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, has been recovered.

The guns were dumped near a galamsey pit in the area and had been handed over to the Police administration. The sixty rounds of ammunition, which were loaded in the rifles, were however missing when the guns were found.

Four more suspects have also been arrested, bringing the total number of people arrested to 22, including two women. Briefing the Western Regional Minister Mr Anthony E.Amoah, the chief of Teleku Bokazu Nana Afful Kwaw II said last Sunday some youths started beating war drums, singing and calling on all true Nzemas to mobilize their weapons and fight against Adamus Gold resources, a gold prospecting company in the area.

He said though he had been the chief of the town for the past 12 years, the prospecting license was granted as far back as 1936. Earlier the youths had invaded one of the exploratory areas and attacked two policemen on duty, took their guns and uniforms and forced other workers to flee through the nearby farms.

The chief said the youths stormed the palace, removed his sandals and said that they had destooled him.

He said the community public address system was hijacked by one Safohene Sanzu, now on the run, to rally the youth into action. Already four people had reported to the Nkroful police that their houses, stores and other properties had been burnt by their own people who suspected them of supporting the activities of Adamus.

Other people who are likely to receive compensation for the destruction of their crops have also been threatened by the angry youth.

The chief said the youth have persistently refused to respond to invitations extended by Adamus to them.

Mr Amoah told the community that the aim of government was to develop the region equally and all channels of communication should be exhausted before any action was taken.

He said peace was very vital for the development of any area and reminded the inhabitants that any acts to destabilise the peace would worsen the plight of the area.

Mr Amoah advised those who had fled into their farms and nearby bushes for fear of reprisals by the police to return home and assist the police to retrieve the 60 rounds of ammunition and the police uniforms. Mr Freddie Blay, Member of Parliament of Ellembelle, assured the people that he would not support any group to engage in acts that could create tension, mistrust and insecurity in the constituency. He cautioned those associating his name in the acts to desist because it would not serve any meaningful purposes.