13 arrested in Wa over attempted murder of chief

The Police in Wa have arrested 13 persons suspected to have been involved in an assignation attempt on Naa Fuseini Pelpuo, a rival claimant to the Wa skin at Wa on Saturday.

The suspects whose names were not given have been placed in police custody and their statements were being taken.

Seidu Yakubu, a 40-year old man died of bullet wounds at the Wa Regional Hospital on Saturday following the assassination attempt.

Mr. Kofi Danso-Akyeampong, Upper West Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that the gun was apparently fired by a sniper.

According to him, the chief was the intended target but the bullet missed him and hit the deceased who was sitting on his right side at the forecourt of the Wa Naa’s palace.

He said two other persons who were critically injured during the incident are on admission.

The incident is believed to have emanated from the decision of Naa Pelpuo and his supporters to occupy the Wa Naa’s palace following his victory in a recent ruling of the National House of chiefs in a suit filed by those opposed to his enskinment as Paramount Chief of Wa by a section of the kingmakers.

However, the Regional Police Commander told the Ghana News Agency that there was no legal document barring Naa Pelpuo and his supporters from occupying the palace

The palace has not seen any occupant since the death of Naa Momori Bondiri II, in January 1998.

Naa Yakubu Soali II, from the Naakpaha gate who succeeded Naa Bondiri, never moved into the palace until he died in 2005.

Calm has returned to the town and the inhabitants were going about their activities.

Source: GNA