There was a heavy police presence at Nsoatre near Sunyani, in the early hours on Friday, to avert communal violence in the area.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Patrick Adusei Sarpong, acting Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander told the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani that the Police acted upon a tip-off that there was going to be disturbances in the area as a result of a protracted chieftaincy dispute.

ACP Sarpong said about 80 Police personnel were deployed to the town at about 0400 hours to patrol the streets to prevent individuals from carrying out their diabolic intentions.

He said vehicles plying the Sunyani-Berekum road were stopped for the Police to search passengers to prevent people from entering the town with offensive weapons and other ammunition.

The Acting Regional Police Commander said there was calm in the area, and people were going about their normal duties.

ACP Sarpong said the situation would be reviewed before a decision would finally be taken to either withdraw or maintain the police personnel in the area.

He urged residents to co-operate with the Police to restore calm and sanity, because “we are there for their own good and not to harm anyone.”

ACP Sarpong stated the Police had not yet made any arrest.

Nsoatre, situated on the Sunyani- Berekum Highway in the Sunyani West-District, has had a protracted chieftaincy dispute for over a decade now.