One more suspect has been arrested for the violent clashes at Nima on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.
The suspect, Farouk Dauda, alias Omondi, aged 31, was arrested through a collaboration between the police and the National Investigation Bureau (NIB).
A statement from the police which confirmed his arrest said he was picked up at his hideout at a suburb of Accra based on intelligence on Sunday, 23 January 2022.
“During interrogation, he admitted his involvement in the said clash where he was captured in a video footage wielding a machete as he identified himself in the said video footage,” the police said.
A search conducted on him revealed wrapped substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
He is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.
The police have further indicated that it is working tirelessly to arrest all other suspects involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, the seven earlier arrested suspects have been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.
The seven accused persons pleaded not guilty to charges of rioting and causing harm when they appeared before the court on Friday, 22 January 2022.
They are to reappear on 1 February.
Background
On 19 January, police arrested seven suspects for their involvement in the violence at Nima on Tuesday, 18 January 2022.
Other suspects were pursued at Nima, and its environs and the police stressed their commitment “to get them arrested to face justice”.
According to the law enforcement agency, the clash was triggered by two gang leaders – Kumordzi, alias Ibrahim Hussein and Bombon, alias Ali Awudu.
“They are rivalry groups that never agreed on issues, and today [Tuesday], they went all out on the open streets of Nima,” Director-General of Police Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori, explained.
“We have nipped the violence in the bud. We are in control and would like to let the people know that the police are there at Nima to protect lives and property, and we will not give room for such criminals to disturb the peace and security of Nima”.
Some items were retrieved, including ammunition, spent bullet shells and adapted implements to cause harm and injury.
Gunshots could be heard in some of the videos as passersby screamed and ran for cover.
Dozens of police dressed in full riot gear wear deployed to the area.
A few hours later, the police released a short statement indicating that the violence had been quelled.
Nima is one of Ghana’s largest and oldest Zongo communities, with origins dating centuries ago.
It is known to be one of the flashpoints in the country which harbours gangs and hoodlums.