More than 10 students have been arrested as investigations begin into violent clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School within the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region. Editorial Standards
The arrests followed reprisal attacks that were carried out between students of the two schools, leading to the destruction and burning of several structures on both campuses on Wednesday morning.
The Eastern Regional Police Command has launched an investigation into the matter and is currently trying to identify all persons involved in the violence, as well as determine the cause of the confrontation. Corrections Policy
Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, confirmed on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 2, that more than ten students have been arrested.
“We have apprehended them, and there are more,” he confirmed. DCOP Owusu-Bempah stated that some students fled their campuses when police officers arrived at the scene, but warned that leaving the school grounds would not protect suspects from the authorities.
“We have been able to list the suspects, and we’re still taking our measures to have everybody who would have gotten involved in it properly identified,” he noted.
“What we have found is the role some of the teachers may have played in encouraging some students to go and attack students of the other schools,” the police commander added. He indicated that the police had compiled the names of some teachers suspected to have been involved in the violence.
“They have nowhere to go,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned of any teachers found culpable. “We are going to arrest them, and their names shall be published at the appropriate time”. These allegations against the teachers have yet to be independently verified.
As the investigation progresses, those identified by officials will be afforded the due process of law. The police command has assured the public that no individual identified as being part of the riot will go unpunished, appealing for cooperation and stating that interference will not be tolerated.
Last week, a similar violent confrontation broke out between the two schools and resulted in the destruction of educational facilities and six students sustaining injuries and requiring hospital treatment.
Four of the students were discharged, and two remain hospitalized according to the headmaster of Okuapeman SHS, with the Visual Arts studio, teacher’s offices, and seven classrooms reportedly destroyed. In Mount Sinai SHS, the store room and boys’ washroom were torched.
The Easter Regional Security Council (REGSEC) closed both institutions following the incident, ordering students from Mount Sinai to leave their campuses before 1pm on Wednesday, and students from Okuapeman by Thursday morning. “We have to bring back calm for the students to return back to school”. Editorial Ethics & Independence
According to reports, the specific catalyst for Wednesday’s violence has not yet been determined, but officials will investigate how the situation escalated.
The police will continue to identify any other participants and probe whether individual actions or an organised group instigated the riot. The school closure was put in place to enable authorities to restore stability, assess the extent of damages and create an environment for thorough investigative work.
“The police won’t spare anyone who goes against the law. They shouldn’t take things into their own hands,” the police commander advised.
DCOP Owusu-Bempah indicated that the police were pursuing all suspects, and additional arrests are anticipated.
Currently, more than 10 students are in the police custody while investigations are underway to ascertain the level of their involvement and potential criminal involvement, including exploring allegations that some teachers may have instigated some of the violent acts.