Police avert clash at Alabar
The timely intervention of the police, prevented what could have been a clash between some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic (NPP) over the ownership and management of the Tamale Station at Alabar in Kumasi.
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Acting on intelligence that some group of people were preparing to disturb the peace in the area, the Ashanti Regional Police, swiftly moved in armed police men to the scene around 4 a.m. yesterday to ensure that the attacks were prevented to save lives and property.
Although the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Juliana Obeng, told the Daily Graphic that the police could not ascertain the real cause of the intended attack, some residents in the area alleged that it was a continuation of a disagreement that dates back to 2009 between the two divide in the Dagbon chieftaincy conflict; Abudus and Andanis under the guise of NDC and NPP supporters.
There was heavy presence of armed police, some of them with hoods on their faces, maintaining peace and security at the area. There was a temporary hold up at the station but by midday, buses were loading Tamale-bound passengers and goods in the middle of the road beside the terminal.
According to ASP Obeng, no arrest was made, and that there was no destruction of property and nor injuries, however, the police would maintain their presence at the area to ensure security.
NDC
Speaking to the media, a former bookman who admitted that he was an NDC activist, stated that he and his colleagues were booted out from the terminal after the 2016 elections by some NPP activists.
He said he had been out of job for the past seven months and insisted that he would ensure that they took the job back. “I don’t understand what they have done. I have come for my job. I am prepared to die for my job,” he said.
NPP
Mohamed Awal, an NPP activist who also operates at the terminal said they established the terminal, years back only to be sacked in 2009 after the NDC won the election.
He alleged that the NDC thugs came with guns, clubs, machete and subjected them to severe battering,resulting in many of his colleagues sustaining injuries.
He added that although some NDC activists who perpetuated the attacks were arrested, they were later released and started manning the terminal till 2017 when they also took back what was rightfully theirs.
Background
On March 4, 2017, the Daily Graphic reported that Abudus and Andanis, had engaged in clashes over the Tamale Lorry Terminal at Aboabo in Kumasi, resulting in six people sustaining machete wounds.
Eye witnesses alleged that the attackers, who wielded machetes and guns, came around the station at about 6.30 a.m., and in the presence of armed police officers started inflicting machetes wounds on those they perceived to be Andanis.
Police Commander
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, District Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Ken Yeboah, confirmed the clashes to the media and added that it was between the Andanis and Abudus.
He said the police were at the scene maintaining law and order and added that the leadership of the two groups had earlier been invited for an amicable solution.
