The Accra Regional Police Command has intensified its operations following a violent disturbance at the Kotoku Onion Market that left traders in shock and residents calling for increased security.
Detectives have officially launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend several individuals involved in an unlawful discharge of firearms and a general breakdown of order within the Adjen Kotoku District.
The unrest, which escalated on Monday, 6th April, is believed to have stemmed from simmering tensions between five rival onion sellers’ associations.
According to preliminary police findings, the dispute originated from disagreements over the distribution of produce supplied by foreign traders. What began as a commercial rivalry quickly spiralled into a heated confrontation that disrupted business activities across the Amasaman Division.
Eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos as the clash broke out between members of the competing groups.
During the height of the fracas, the sound of gunfire echoed through the market, sent traders and customers scrambling for safety.
While police officers from the regional command responded to the scene almost immediately, the individuals responsible for firing the shots managed to evade capture under the cover of the initial confusion.
In the immediate aftermath of the violence, a specialist team of patrol officers was deployed to the area to restore order and provide a visible deterrent against further aggression.
The regional command has since intensified its presence in the market, with mobile units conducting frequent sweeps to ensure that the fragile peace holds.
Senior police officials, led by the Accra Regional Command, have spent much of the last twenty-four hours engaging in high-level talks with the leadership of the five involved associations.
According to the Police, these negotiations aimed to de-escalate the rivalry and secure a formal commitment to maintaining order.
Supt. Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Region, confirmed that the leadership of these groups has since pledged to cooperate with the authorities to prevent a recurrence of the violence.
A formal statement issued by the command cautioned the public against the use of violence or the illegal possession of firearms as a means of settling commercial or personal grievances.
The police urged all parties to seek redress through established legal channels rather than resorting to force.
