The Bolgatanga Police Command in the Upper East Region, has arrested 63 suspects in connection with the lynching of a 67-year old woman at Penlugu market who was accused of being a witch.
The suspects will be screened at an identification parade later today [Sunday], to ascertain the actual killers.
The 63 were picked up in a swoop on Saturday at Pelungu and Tindongo, and are currently in the custody of the police.
Yenboka Kenna, age 67, was accused of witchcraft by some residents of the area, and was sent to the Chief of Pelungu Naab Sobil Sore (IV) who later discharged her of not being guilty.
But she was subsequently lynched on the night of Sunday, 28th May 2017, at the Pelungu market by some irate persons in the area.
Speaking to Citi News, Bolgatanga Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Samuel Punobyin, said, ”We conducted a swoop in Pelungu market where the deceased was lynched and the surrounding houses and have arrested 63 male suspects including a lady who are being held for investigations. We conducted this swoop based on intelligence because we were told the lynching of the deceased was done by people living in the area.”
“…So the suspects will be screened on Sunday morning and so we are hoping that the witnesses who were also at the chief’s palace before the killing of the deceased will identify those who brought the deceased to the palace, those who demanded she should be released to them; and those who lynched the deceased for prosecution. But for suspects who will not be fingered by the witnesses will be released on bail.”
Mr. Punobyin reiterated the commitment of the police to get all perpetrators involved in the lynching to face the law.
He also denied allegations by the Member of Parliament for Nabdam Dr. Mark Nawaane, that a postmortem was never conducted on the deceased before her burial.
“When police went to the scene at Pelungu market to pick the body of the deceased, she was sent to the Bolga regional hospital mortuary for postmortem before the body was handed over to the deceased family for burial,” Mr. Punobyin stated.
Meanwhile, sources at the Pelungu chief palace have indicated that, the Chief of Pelungu Naab Sierig Sore Sobil (IV), is currently in Geneva attending the International Labour Organization (ILO) conference and will report himself to the police upon arrival to his community.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.
(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
