Twenty-five persons have been arrested for besieging the Wa Police Station on Wednesday evening following the arrest of some suspects for flogging two lovers.
A statement from the police said the irate youth pelted the charge office with stones and other implements.
They also set vehicle tyres ablaze on some major streets in the municipality, blocking and obstructing the free movement of vehicles.
According to the police, the youth were demanding the release of Bushiran Khadir,34, a phone repairer; Issahaku Mahama,70; and Naa Sidiki Osman,52; who were seen in the viral video flogging the couple over a leaked sex tape.
The police believe that the rioting was “calculated to derail the course of justice for the victims who were flogged in the Wa viral video”.
Meanwhile, the three suspects will be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction after investigations.
What happened to the lovers
The lovebirds were reportedly beaten up because they were seen having sex in a video that had gone viral on social media.
They were tied separately to a pole at the forecourt of the Wa Naa’s Palace in Wa and whipped mercilessly.
Residents were heard cheering in their native language, with others recording in sheer amusement.
They believe flogging them will serve as punishment for tarnishing the reputation of the town and for engaging in an act that is frowned upon by Islam.
Reports indicate that the duo was arrested by some young men in the town and taken to the palace.
However, upon their arrival at the palace, the Wa Naa was absent.
Instead of waiting on the chief, the young men decided to take the matter into their own hands and delivered a punishment they deemed fit.
The young woman was served with her lashes first in reference to the popular saying, ‘ladies first’.
The man also had his fair share of lashes shortly after.
Upper West Regional Crime Officer Chief Superintendant Reynold Manteaw had said earlier that surveillance had been launched on the perpetrators of the “callous act”.
The sub-chiefs in the area have also been invited by the Regional Command for a meeting to help throw more light on the issue.
“We have placed some informants around, but for now, we haven’t laid hands on any suspect yet. We are also relying on people from the palace who have shown their willingness to help find the culprits. As of now, we are still looking for these two victims. Residents are tight-lipped but nonetheless, we are working to ensure we find them and ensure their safety,” he said.
He assured the public that the police were working around the clock to bring the perpetrators to book.
Asked if the victims will also be made to face the law for the nude videos, Chief Superintendant said “I wouldn’t be in a position to say that for a fact but after the investigations are complete and they are also found culpable they may have to face the law”.
He, however, added that steps were also in place to locate the victims who were not at the scene when the police got wind of what was happening.
Reactions to the flogging
The Wa Naa was the first to condemn the act that took place at the forecourt of his palace on Tuesday afternoon when he was not present.
Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Council, viewed the action by the town folk as “barbaric”.
Naa Kadri Ibrahim, Jinpehi Naa, the Spokesperson of the Wa Naa, who conveyed the position of the paramount chief, urged the police to take action to ensure justice.
“Whoever took that decision to have them flogged has erred and must be arrested and brought to book”.