The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested one of the suspected ringleaders in the fatal riot, which occurred in Nima on January 18, 2022.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Police disclosed that Kumodzi, who was central to the clash between two rival groups, is in police custody. According to the Police, it is working to apprehend other suspects, involved in the incident.

The police also added that it will serve the general public with other relevant updates soon.

"Suspect Ibrahim Hussain alias Kumodzi, leader of the 'Kumodzi gang' has been arrested and detained to assist investigation into the recent dreaded Maamobi-Nima violence which occurred on January 18, 2022. Meanwhile, the Police continue to pursue Bombom and their cohorts. Details will be provided in due course", the post said.

Background

On January 19, the Police placed a GH¢20,000 bounty on the leaders of the two groups involved in violent clashes at Nima on Tuesday afternoon. The two groups, namely the Bombom group and the Kumordzie group are led by Ali Awudu and Ibrahim Husein respectively.

Addressing a press briefing at the National Operations Centre, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kwesi Ofori stressed that the bounty on the two prime suspects is to urge the public to disclose all relevant information leading to the arrest and prosecution of all culprits.

“The kingpins, the actual chief executives of these criminal gangs, we are doing everything possible to make sure we pursue them, get them, investigate them and charge them for court. The police administration has placed GH₵20,000 on their heads. Anybody who offers credible information that leads to their arrest will be given that amount. Therefore, it is our wish that members of the public will collaborate with the police to enable us to get them to face justice,” ACP Kwesi Ofori disclosed.

He also promised that pictures of the leaders of the two groups will be made available to the general public to facilitate investigations. According to him, the two have been on the watch of the police over the last two years.

Giving a background of their past misdemeanors, ACP Kwesi Ofori said they have been cautioned and sanctioned by the Nima Police Division; adding that the events on January 18, was the height of their unruly behaviour. He, therefore, stressed that the police will work with other collaborators this time around to bring finality to havoc wreaked by the two rival groups in the area.

Touching on the menace of gangsterism in the country, ACP Kwesi Ofori said the Police will not hesitate to clamp down on the excesses of all such groups in the country. He, therefore, charged the youth to refrain from joining such groups, and channel their energies into more productive ventures.

“This situation will not be allowed to continue. The police have taken a serious view of it snd will work with youth groups, interest groups, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to make sure that wherever we have such criminal gangs and elements, will be dealt with, not only in Accra but in our entire country. Ghana is a democratic country, and we’ll ensure that the police enforce the laws to its fullest.

And let me put on record, that wherever we have any gang or group in this country, the police will deal with it. We will not allow it to grow. And we’ll make sure that we keep it in the bud.

And therefore let’s warn the youth in particular to desist from such criminal gangs. They should move away from it and engage in productive ventures. They should move away from the formation and growth of such gangs and unlawful structures,” ACP Kwesi stated.