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Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kofi Boakye, the Ashanti Regional Commander, has expressed concern about the increasing use of hired thugs (machomen) in chieftaincy conflicts and warned of firm action to deal with the trend.

The police, he stated, would not accept any breaches of the law by anybody and would act firmly to tackle every threat to the peace and security of the society.

He described as completely unacceptable, the situation where feuding factions in chieftaincy disputes engaged thugs to create confusion and mayhem.  

DCOP Boakye said the lawlessness and impunity could simply not continue and that offenders would be made to answer for their actions.

He was addressing a day’s seminar on security, safety and protection held for chiefs and queens at the instance of the Manhyia Palace.

This comes amid recent unresolved assassination of prominent figures including traditional rulers.

The chiefs were given security titbits on communication strategy, security protocol, personal security, safety and protection.

The Regional Commander reminded the chiefs be more alert and must never take their own security for granted, adding that, their position as traditional leaders made them potential target of attack by criminals.

He pointed out that “in the world of crime, it is always difficult to predict what might happen in the future or who to trust and not to trust” and that was why it was important to be careful and properly scrutinize the background of their aides.

He made reference to instances where close associates had betrayed and facilitated the murder and other atrocious acts against some chiefs by leaking vital information to criminal gangs.

A retired Commissioner of Police (COP), Mr. Yaw Adu-Gyimah, hailed the seminar as a right step in the face of the many chieftaincy disputes and the security implication for the society.