Five arrested over murder linked to chieftaincy dispute in Western Region
By DL News
Published
1 min read
The incident took place on 6 October 2025 during rising tensions over rival claims to traditional leadership in the Asemkor community. Abban was reportedly attacked and killed as conflict escalated.
Police in the Western Region have arrested five men suspected of killing John Abban, the brother of the chief of Butre and Asemkor, amid a chieftaincy dispute in the Ahanta West District.
The incident took place on 6 October 2025 during rising tensions over rival claims to traditional leadership in the Asemkor community. Abban was reportedly attacked and killed as conflict escalated.
According to a statement from the Regional Police Command, signed by Supt Olivia E. T. Adiku, the suspects fled the area immediately after the killing and went into hiding.
Following days of intelligence-led operations, three suspects — named as Kennedy Abor, also known as Abongo (30), Kojo Attah Panyi (20), and Joseph Basses (30) — were arrested on 15 October at Funko in the Western Region.
A joint operation between the Western Regional Intelligence Directorate and their counterparts in Accra led to the arrest of two additional suspects. They were identified as Abraham Cudjoe, alias Yalle (39), and Ekow Painstil (45), picked up on 21 October at Afuaman Ayigbe Town in the Ga West Municipality.
All five are currently in police custody and are expected to be charged in court soon.
Police say security has been reinforced in the Asemkor area to restore calm after the violent clashes, which left sections of the community damaged.
