Relatives and close associates of the chief of Atwima Koforidua-Akurofuom who was shot and killed by unknown persons are calling for police protection as search for the murderers continues. 

Nana Osei Adusa IV was shot and killed on Monday in what is suspected to a chieftaincy dispute

Reports suggest his assailants shot him two times in the neck and in the thighs at close range.

The late chief’s wife, Patience Osei, and other relatives say they will continue to live in fear until all the suspects are arrested.

Five people including the Oyokohene Sanaahene, Nana Kwaku Nkrumah, described as key suspect in the alleged murder have been picked up by police.

The others are Paul Nsiah Pobi, Kwabena Acheampong, Ibrahim Ampofo and Yaw Gyamfi, also known as Batman.

Police say Oyokohene Sanaahene, Nana Nkrumah was spotted a few meters from the crime scene by personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit on duty on highway patrol.

Abuakwa District Commander, Superintendent Joseph Nyaaba says though Nana Nkrumah was seen lurking around the crime scene before the incident by personnel of the Motor, Traffic and Transport Unit who were on highway duties, he vehemently denied it.

“On the spot investigations reveal that, soon after the gunshots were shot, Sanaahene was seen fleeing the scene in his truck with two others at very top speed. Earlier on when Sanaahene was  coming, he met the MTTU people there; he parked there, spoke to them for a while about five minutes  they chat  before he left  and he branched towards where chief was shot. Now when we brought him and we were interrogating him, he said he never branched,” said Superintendent Nyaaba.

 According to Superitendent Nyaaba, the Sanaahene’s account is riddled with inconsistencies. Police officers acting as witnesses have given statements to aid investigations.

“Police is a witness. I have taken statements from the MTTU guys". Supt. Nyaaba revealed

But Nana Adusah’s gruesome murder had been preceded by several threats on his life; leading to arrest and prosecution of some suspects.

A few weeks ago, the late chief smoked a peace pipe with family members opposed to his installation.

A letter to that effect was subsequently submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, through the District Command.

The peace deal was however shot-lived as Nana Adusah was shot at closed-range by unknown assailants from the bush.

There are fears of possible reprisal attacks as the late chief’s immediate family calls for police protection for close allies of the late chief as police investigate the gruesome murder.

The widow, Patience Osei is first to make the call. Her call is supported by other relatives and closed allies of the late chief.

“There’s no peace in the community. I heard even the faction from the late chief wanted to retaliate but for the intervention of one of the elders, he had to be restrained so the police should be on their guard. Anything can happen at Atwima Koforidua. So police should not sit down and say everything is okay. Everything is not well”.

But Superintendent Nyaaba however says the safety of the panicking relatives is guaranteed as police intensified patrols in the community.