The Savannah Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested and detained an 85-year-old man, Elijah Wulo, and his 28-year-old son, David Wulo, at the Damongo Divisional Police Station for their alleged roles in the burning of a 10-bedroom self-contained house at Kompien, a suburb of Tuna in the Kog Traditional Area of the Savannah Region.

The incident also involved the destruction of a 20-acre cashew farm, a grinding mill and other valuables belonging to a family.

Three other suspects — Razack, Yahuza and Gudus — are currently on the run and are being pursued by the police.

According to the Savannah Regional Police Commander, DCOP David Amoako, all five suspects were identified by the victims, whose names have been withheld, as those responsible for the destruction of their property.

Police say the two arrested suspects will be arraigned before the Damongo Circuit Court on Tuesday, 3 March, on a provisional charge of causing unlawful damage contrary to section 172 of the Criminal Offences Act 29/60.

Earlier, Joy News visited the community and spoke with the victims, now complainants, who recounted their ordeal. They alleged that Yahuza and Razack are the son and nephew of the Paramount Chief of the Kog Traditional Area, Seidu Adamu Jinturge I, in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.

According to the complainants, Yahuza, Razack and David initially came to their house claiming that a herder had lodged a complaint at the Kog palace, alleging that his cattle had grazed on their farm and later died. They said the suspects asked them to accompany them to the palace.

The victims said they refused, citing a previous incident in which Razack and Yahuza allegedly attacked and injured a younger brother with cutlasses. They claimed the suspects seized a motorcycle he left behind while fleeing and later took away a motor tricycle and livestock from their home.

One of the complainants further alleged that while he and his brother were with the suspects, a police vehicle arrived and arrested them on the orders of the chief for failing to honour an invitation over the herder’s complaint. They were detained at the Tuna Police Station.

He claimed that during their detention, the Kogwura visited the station and allegedly assured the police he would “deal” with them.

According to the complainants, while they were still in custody, they received information that their 20-acre cashew farm had been set ablaze. They said they were subsequently released and returned home, only for their 10-bedroom house to be set on fire at midnight the following day.

They alleged that documents, foodstuffs, valuables and a grinding mill were destroyed in the blaze, leaving them to sleep outdoors. They further claimed that a female resident witnessed the incident and identified one of the suspects.

Joy News checks at the Tuna Police Station confirmed that the complainants had earlier lodged a report alleging that Yahuza and Razack had threatened to burn their property. The suspects were reportedly invited by the police but failed to honour the invitation before the case was transferred to the regional headquarters.

When contacted, the Paramount Chief of Kog, Jara Seidu Adamu Jinkurge I, denied any knowledge of the suspects or the incident.

“I do not know anything about them. I travelled and was only informed upon my return. I am not aware of any burning of a house at Kompien,” he said.