In a suspected act of retaliation by a gang, a six-bedroom house was set on fire Friday afternoon in the Krofrom neighborhood of Kumasi. In what is thought to be a vengeance attack for the butchering of a community colleague, the armed young men broke into the home and stole it before lighting it on fire. Residents are worried of numerous retaliations if security is not increased in the neighborhood.
The young man in his early 30s, simply known as “Candy,” was murdered on Thursday in the neighborhood by unidentified assailants. A group of armed adolescents who were allegedly the deceased’s coworkers assaulted the neighborhood on Friday in retaliation. One of the alleged attackers’ residences, a six-bedroom flat, was set on fire by the gang.
Sarah Owusu, who resides in the destroyed home, asserts that the group first ransacked their rooms before starting the fire. “They came to us with a rifle and a knife exactly one week ago today to threaten us, but we made it out alive. To steal our TV and clothing, their people came to our house, she claimed. Tenant Lamisi Nuhu’s whole possessions were destroyed in the fire. “I was powerless to escape with anything. The fire destroyed all my children owned. The issue is how to even survive nowadays. Lamisi continued. Abena Ayiwah, the mother of the alleged attacker, claims that her son frequently faced attacks after leaving the gang.
DCOP Afful Boakye Yiadom, the commander of the Ashanti Central Police, who was present at the fire scene, urged the locals to provide any information that would be useful in assisting the police in apprehending any suspects connected to the violent actions. “You stay with them over here. They are your siblings and colleagues. Show us where they are. They need to be arrested. We won’t let anyone escape so assist the Police in finding them if you know their whereabouts.” Some residents of Krofrom, however, say such incidents are not unusual in the community and fear a repeat of events.
