The Tema police on Saturday arrested 12 persons who invaded and vandalised the palace of the Tema Paramount chief breaking the glass door and windows and destroying some stool regalia including the mace of the linguist.

The youth also broke into the study room of the palace and took away notebooks and other vital documents of the traditional council. An eyewitness at the palace said the youth who numbered between 25 and 30 welded cutlasses and other offensive weapons with red armbands also paraded the street leading to the palace chanting war songs.

He alleged that they locked the main gates to the palace and when they could not lay hands on the Chief, Nii Adjei Kraku II, vandalised the glass windows and doors and helped themselves with some alcoholic drinks. They were, however, arrested on their way out by some elders of the town who handed them over to the police.

According to the eyewitness while the group was at the palace, another group went to town to announce that they had destooled Nii Adjei. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Agnes Sikanartey, Tema Regional Commander who confirmed the arrest said he “dispatched 20 policemen led by ASP John Yamba of the Buffalo Unit to the palace". She said the situation was under control and that, 10 men and 2 women had been placed in custody to help in investigations.