The Eastern South Regional Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a shooting incident at Asamankese that left six civilians and three police officers injured during a burial and funeral service.

According to a statement issued by the police, the confrontation erupted after intelligence indicated that some individuals were transporting firearms and cartridges into a room near the Chief’s palace.

Officers were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they retrieved one single-barreled gun, 84 live AAA cartridges, seven cutlasses, and two knives.

The suspects, identified as Isaac Ntim, Nana Yaw Zenyo, Bismark K. K. Adam, aged 29, and Buaben Richard, aged 25, were arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of weapons.

However, their arrest triggered an attack by a group of agitated youth, who pelted the officers with stones and other objects, injuring three policemen on their heads and hands.

Police said the attackers also damaged two service vehicles by smashing their windscreens and side windows.

The situation escalated when the youth blocked the Asamankese–Akroso road and fired gunshots around the Chief’s palace, allegedly in protest against a plan by the bereaved family to bury six deceased relatives in the royal cemetery.

Six people, identified as David Odame (28), Musah Gyakweli (29), Patrick Ofosu, Obeng Emmanuel (18), Asamoah Sey (18), and one other yet to be identified, sustained gunshot wounds during the chaos.

They are currently receiving treatment at the Asamankese Government Hospital.

Police say calm has since been restored in the township, with intensified patrols and surveillance to maintain law and order.

“The Eastern South Regional Police Command has intensified Patrols and surveillance in the town to maintain law and order. The public is assured of a security strategy in place to protect life and property for people to go about their normal duties,” the statement said.