Kukurantumi Police Station Shut Down After Irate Youth Attack Over Suspect’s Death
The Ghana Police Service has temporarily closed the Kukurantumi Police Station in the Abuakwa North Municipality of the Eastern Region and withdrawn all personnel following a violent mob attack by irate youth on Sunday morning.
The unrest erupted around 7:00 a.m. after the death of a suspect, Bright Kena (also known as D-Ball), who was arrested for unlawful entry and stealing. Kena was receiving treatment at the Kukurantumi Community Hospital when he died, sparking outrage among locals who accused police of assaulting him during his arrest.
Reports indicate Kena was detained during a swoop where substances suspected to be marijuana were found on him, and a specific officer, identified as “Kumador,” allegedly beat him.
Enraged youth stormed the police station and barracks, pelting officers with stones, clubs, and other weapons while attempting to set the building ablaze. The confrontation escalated when a reinforcement team from the Eastern Regional Police Command’s Counter Terrorism Unit and Akyem Tafo Division arrived, facing heavy resistance and stone-throwing. At least two officers were injured, and police vehicles were damaged in the chaos.
Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno ordered the immediate closure and relocation of services to nearby stations to ensure safety. The Eastern Regional Police Command, in a statement signed by Supt. George Peprah Mills, confirmed intensified patrols to maintain order.
The Police Professional Standards Bureau and Criminal Investigations Department have launched a probe into Kena’s death, reviewing video footage to identify and prosecute attackers.
The Command has engaged the deceased’s family and community leaders, urging peaceful resolutions through legal channels.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between communities and law enforcement over custody deaths, with locals demanding accountability. A tense calm now prevails in Kukurantumi, but residents remain on edge pending investigation results.
