Eight arrested over Nkwanta South DCE’s murder (Update)

Eight persons suspected to have been involved in the assassination of the Nkwanta South District Chief Executive (DCE) have been arrested by the police.

The suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, are assisting the Volta Regional Police Command in its investigations. 

The late DCE, Mr Peter Kenyenso, was shot dead by unknown assailants at the forecourt of his residence at Nkwanta last Monday night. 

He had returned from town and was alighting from his car when the tragedy was visited on him.

The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, who is the chairperson of the Volta Region Security Council (REGSEC), told journalists in Ho yesterday. 

Meanwhile, a reinforcement of security personnel drawn from Accra, Ho and Kete-Krachi has been deployed at Nkwanta to undertake patrols and prevent any event that may be associated with the tragic incident.

The late Mr Kenyenso is survived by a wife and three children. 

Fear

In a related development, district chief executives (DCEs) in the Volta Region have expressed grief over the sudden death of Mr Kenyenso.

At a press conference in Ho yesterday, the Chairman of DCEs in the region, Mr Michael Koblah Adjaho, stated that the DCEs were still in a state of shock at the gruesome murder of their colleague.

Mr Adjaho, the DCE for Agotime-Ziope, said “while we mourn his death, we wish to unreservedly condemn this cowardly and barbaric act which has thrown all of us into a state of insecurity.”

He expressed the deepest condolences of the DCEs to the bereaved family, especially the wife and his children, family and the entire Nkwanta South District.

He called on the security agencies to intensify investigations into the matter  to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.

Some of the DCEs expressed concern about  lack of adequate personal protection and at their residences usually located at isolated places.

According to the Chairman, DCEs were the people who dealt directly with communities and, therefore, came under attack when certain decisions they had taken were considered by the people to be unfavourable to them.

Mr Adjaho said the incident had created fear among the DCEs and called on the President to make the security of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives a top priority.

Background

Mr Kenyenso was shot dead last Monday night by unknown assailants.

Information gathered indicated that Mr Kenyenso was shot dead around 8 p.m., at his residence  when he stepped out from his car.

His body has since been taken to the district hospital.