The police have arrested three persons and are pursuing other suspects in connection with violent attacks in chieftaincy and land disputes in Mempeasem and Lukula in the Savannah Region.
On 30 May, a gang of 50 invaded Mempeasem and kidnapped a 50-year-old man. The gang fled to the bush when the police responded to the attack. The police managed to rescue the victim and retrieve one AK-47 gun, 14 rounds of ammunition, seven motorbikes and two bicycles from the scene of the incident.
A search in the area for the suspects led to a further retrieval of a bag containing 240 pieces of AK-47 ammunition.
On 1 June, the police, while on patrols in the communities, responded to another distress call of an attack by another gang in Lukula. The said suspects who were on a rampage, burning houses and shooting randomly, opened fire on the police on sight.
The police responded immediately and arrested three of the suspects: Razak Sulemana, Musah Shanun and Karim Abdul Rafiuw. The three suspects, who sustained gunshot wounds during their arrest, are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.
A search on them led to the retrieval of one pump action gun, two single barrel guns, one long knife, 80 live cartridges, some talismans and cowries.
After restoring calm in the area, the police received information that an 81-year-old man from Lukula was allegedly shot by the rampaging gang on his farm. The police proceeded to the farm, and with the help of his children, took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead by the authorities. The body has since been deposited at the hospital for preservation and autopsy.
Following police encounter with the suspects and the subsequent arrests, individuals believed to be sympathisers of the suspects, attacked the Daboya police station, causing damage to accident cars parked at the station and louvre blades in the barracks. The police, however, resisted the attack and took control of the situation.
Calm has since been restored and security strengthened in Daboya and surrounding communities to forestall further attacks. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators, including those who attacked the police station.
