A man, identified as Kofi Agbavitor, was placed in police custody after he allegedly stabbed and killed 32-year-old Julius Sablah, popularly known as D-Black, at Ehi-Zongo on Monday night.
The incident, which reportedly occurred at about 20:30 hours, saw the suspect allegedly using a jackknife to stab the victim in the neck, leaving him in a pool of blood.
When the Police arrived at the scene, they found the deceased lying motionless with a deep wound on the left side of his neck.
The body was examined and later conveyed to the St. Anthony Hospital morgue in Dzodze for preservation and autopsy.
Police sources said the suspect later turned up at the Ehi Police Station armed with a cutlass, claiming he was seeking refuge from a mob, and he was arrested and placed in custody to assist investigations.
However, tensions escalated when irate youth stormed the police station, demanding the suspect’s release, but upon the refusal by the police, the mob resorted to violence, pelting stones at the building and damaging its roof.
The District Commander, Chief Superintendent William Gyamfi, and the District Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Habada, swiftly mobilised a patrol team to restore order.
However, upon their arrival, attempts to calm the crowd had failed, and the youth had intensified their aggression, injuring Inspector Augustine Tawiah and G/Constable Foster Adu with stones.
Both officers were later rushed to the Sab-Dave Hospital in Dzodze for treatment.
Amid the unrest, a stray bullet allegedly strucked an unidentified woman, but efforts by police to assist her were obstructed by the mob and the group also blocked the Ehi–Penyi main road to prevent further police reinforcements.
The situation deteriorated further when the mob set the Ehi Police Station ablaze using petrol, forcing officers and the suspect to flee for their lives.
Reinforcements from the Divisional Command arrived, but persistent attacks forced a tactical retreat, leaving the police facility consumed by the fire.
Police confirm that the suspect, Kofi Agbavitor, was currently receiving medical care under guard at the St. Anthony Hospital at Dzodze, as investigations continued into both the alleged murder and the subsequent violent disturbances.
Meanwhile, in a press release signed by Rev. Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive and Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), expressed deep regret at the tragic events and strongly condemned the acts of violence and destruction that unfolded.
He stressed that mob justice was unlawful and undermined the rule of law that the nation strived to uphold.
Rev. Amenaki said MUSEC, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, had instituted swift measures to restore calm and safeguard residents.
He appealed to Traditional Authorities, Opinion Leaders, and the youth of Ehi and its surrounding communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continued.
Rev. Amenaki assured the public that the Ketu North Municipal Assembly remained committed to maintaining peace, protecting lives and property, and ensuring justice for all.
