Farmer Arrested Over Fatal Shooting of Suspected Yam Thief in Oti Region

A 35-year-old farmer, Kwabena Badam, has been arrested over the fatal shooting of a man suspected of attempting to steal yams from his farm in the Oti Region. The incident occurred at Abongo No. 1 in the Krachi East Municipality at 00:00 hours on Saturday.

Fatal Shooting Triggers Police Investigation

The Dambai Divisional Police Command is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the unidentified man. Preliminary information gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicated that the deceased was allegedly caught on the farmer's land while attempting to steal a sack of yams. However, the farmer allegedly opened fire, killing the suspect instantly.

The farmer had repeatedly complained about persistent theft of food crops from his farm and had, on several occasions, reported the matter to the police. The GNA also gathered that shortly after the incident, the farmer voluntarily reported himself to the Dambai Divisional Police Command and informed officers about the shooting.

Residents Denied Opportunity to Identify Deceased

Assembly Member for the Kwame-Akura East Electoral Area, Philip Kwadwo Bidaba, told the GNA that he received a telephone call in the early hours of Sunday informing him that a suspected yam thief had been shot dead in the community. He said he immediately proceeded to the Dambai Police Station, where he was informed that the suspected shooter had already reported himself to the police and had been taken into custody.

According to Mr Bidaba, residents later gathered at the police station in an attempt to identify the deceased. He said he appealed to the police to allow the body bag to be opened to enable residents and community members to identify the deceased, but the request was declined. "The body had already been secured in a body bag, making identification difficult. We pleaded with the police to allow residents to assist with identification, but they declined," he said.

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Body Taken to Worawora Government Hospital Mortuary

The GNA observed that police officers, accompanied by the Assembly Member and relatives of the shooter, later conveyed the body to the Worawora Government Hospital Mortuary in the Biakoye District for preservation and autopsy. The identities of both the deceased and the farmer have not been officially disclosed by the police, pending the formal identification of the deceased and the outcome of preliminary investigations.

The Dambai Divisional Police Command is expected to release further information on the incident as the investigation unfolds. The Oti Region has seen a rise in theft cases, particularly in rural areas where farmers often rely on their crops for livelihood.

Source: JOY