The Police in Ashanti Region are on a manhunt for some residents of Nyinawusu in the Atwima Mponua District, who allegedly lynched five suspected armed robbers.

Some irate youth in the community attacked the chief’s palace and defied attempts by the Police to prevent them from meting instant justice to the alleged robbers.

While four of the victims were killed on Thursday, a fifth person who survived the attack died on Friday night at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The deceased were said to have been summoned to the chief’s palace moments after returning from a galamsey site on Thursday evening.

It followed a complaint from a resident that one of them had attempted robbing her.

The angry residents, armed with machetes, clubs and other offensive weapons, besieged the chief’s palace during the interrogation.

The angry youth hurled stones and forcibly broke the walls with the palace gates locked.

A police team from Nkawie Divisional Command could not stop the charged youth from killing two of their victims in a room reserved for the gods.

Nana James Ayama, Kusasihene at Nyinawusu who witnessed the incident at the palace, said, “The number of people gathered here was over 2000.

“We tried to prevent the angry youth from entering the palace, but we were overpowered, so we had to hide the alleged suspects in some of the rooms.

“Nana then called Police for assistance, and they arrived in no time. Upon his arrival at the palace, the commander fired a warning shot.

“But the angry youth then started singing war songs and started hurling stones at us. Some of the stones even hit the commander and me.”

“The Police tried all they could, but they couldn’t save the situation.

The youth killed two suspects in the room reserved for the gods. One tried to escape, but he was arrested, and his throat slashed.”

Stained clubs, stones, and other items used in the mob attack remain visible at the incident scene.

The incident has left the palace and the Nyinawusu community deserted.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident, which also left police vehicles damaged and some officers injured.

Police say they are on a manhunt for the suspects.

Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Afful Boakye Yiadom dispatched a team of police officers to the scene.

ASP Godwin Ahianyo, who speaks for the Ashanti regional police command, says Police have launched investigations into the incident.

“We have commenced investigations into this heinous crime that has been committed.

The command will do everything possible to unravel the circumstances  that led to the attack on these alleged, suspected armed robbers.”

According to him, the command will not shield anyone found culpable.

“We are investigating the matter, and surely whoever is found culpable will never be left off the hook.”

Two of the deceased have been identified as natives of Akorabuokrom in the district.

Reports of planned reprisals forced the District Security Committee(DISEC) led by the District Chief Executive, Isaac Kofi Marfo and Nkawie Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Jude Cobbina, to visit and engage residents over the attack on their relatives.

According to ASP Ahianyo, police presence will be maintained in the area to ensure peace and security.