Drobo, (B/A) Nov. 30, GNA - Rampaging students last Friday virtually took a policeman and three referees hostage in the boys' dormitory of the Drobo Secondary School in the Jaman South after the final soccer match of a two-day Brong-Ahafo Zone "C" Inter-Second Cycle School Milo Games.

Thirteen second-cycle institutions took part in the games, which involved both boys and girls competing in soccer and volleyball. The incident occurred when a player of Berekum Secondary School who was

apparently dissatisfied with the outcome of the match, after his school lost 0-1 to Methodist Secondary/Technical (MESTECH), also of Berekum confronted the referee after the final whistle. Just after the final whistle the student, Master Frederick Asiedu rushed up to the referee to enquire why the referee refused to whistle for an infringement against MESTECH before blowing his final whistle.

One of the policemen detailed to maintain peace at the park who was dissatisfied with the behaviour of Master Asiedu intervened and in the course manhandled the student leaving him with a swollen right knee.

As the student screamed in pain, some of his colleagues, who were incensed by the policeman's action chased the other three policemen on duty as well as the match officials around the park. Two of the policemen however managed to escape into the bush but their commander and the referees sneaked into the dormitory and were held hostage there till about 1900 hours when a police reinforcement arrived amid firing of warning shots ostensibly to free the "captives". In the ensuing confusion and stampede among the participating students who had also sought refuge at the campus, Master Bennett Ofori, an SSS One student of BESS and a striker for his school team was also pummelled by a policeman. Some of the students quickly rushed Master Ofori to the local Saint Mary's Hospital for medical attention.

Speaking to GNA Sports at Drobo on the incident, Mr. Ibrahim Tabiri, Physical Education Instructor of BESS condemned the behaviour of the peace officers and appealed to the authorities of the Zonal Schools and Colleges Federation to join hands with the District police command to investigate the incident.

"We sought the help of the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the match, but not to kill us", Mr. Tabiri said.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector S. O. Asamoah of the Drobo Police Station said the police were investigating the case to bring the culprits to book.

Earlier in the day, Berekum Presbyterian Secondary (PRESEC) beat Dormaa Secondary (DORMASS) 3-2 in the Girls' volleyball final match to win the trophy.

Opening the games, Mrs. Lilian Azuba Ayuko, Jaman South District Director of Education urged the students to eschew all forms of promiscuity.

The other participating schools were Goka Secondary/Technical, Wamanafo Secondary/Technical, Salvation Army, Mansen Secondary, Jinijini Secondary, Suma Secondary, Nkrankwanta Secondary/Technical and Our Lady of Providence Girls Secondary at Kwasi Buorkrom. 30 Nov 05