- Armed youth activity rising in Bepotenten Sukuum and nearby areas
- Traditional leader says locals are complicit, not only outsiders
- Youth allegedly mount roadblocks and extort commuters
The Gyaman Baapanyin of Bepotenten Sukuum, Nana Akosua Boakyewaa, has sounded the alarm over the growing circulation of firearms and rising violent activities among young people in the community and its surrounding areas, following the recent attack on officers of the Jacobu Police Command.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Boakyewaa said the deteriorating security situation cannot be blamed on outsiders alone, noting that some local youth are actively involved in the violence.
“I cannot blame only foreigners because they cannot operate without the support of indigenes. It would be dishonest to say that some of the young men here do not possess guns and handle them recklessly,” she said.
She disclosed that certain youth openly brandish weapons, intimidate residents, and set up illegal roadblocks to extort money from unsuspecting commuters.
“I have witnessed their actions. Some attack people, demand money, and mount roadblocks. I cannot say that the youth in Bepotenten, Sukuum, and nearby areas are not part of this problem,” she added.
Nana Akosua Boakyewaa further revealed disturbing practices in which some young men seek spiritual protection before engaging in violent acts. According to her, they visit traditional healers for charms believed to protect them from gunshots and cutlass attacks, and then attempt to test the effectiveness of the charms.
She cited recent deadly incidents in neighbouring communities, including Ntontom, where a young man reportedly died while testing a supposed bulletproof charm. In another incident, a cutlass challenge also led to a fatality, with investigations ongoing at the Jacobu Police Station.
“Only a few weeks ago in Ntontom, a young man died while testing a charm believed to stop bullets. In another case, someone lost his life during a cutlass challenge. Both cases are currently under investigation,” she said.
The traditional leader warned that the increasing boldness of armed youth has created fear even among elders.
“We the elders now fear for our safety because if you are not careful, you could be followed and shot,” she lamented.
She therefore appealed to the government and security agencies to urgently intervene by establishing a police station in the area and increasing patrols to stem the spread of illegal firearms and criminal activity.
Her remarks come amid heightened tension following the attack on Jacobu Police officers, renewing calls for decisive action to restore peace and protect lives in Bepotenten Sukuum and neighbouring communities.
