Gun Dealers Invade Techiman, Tuobodom

From all indications, total war between Techiman and Tuobodom is imminent. Investigations conducted by Daily Guide indicate that both sides are seriously arming themselves for a showdown. Arms dealers are having a field day as they shuttle between the two traditional areas, selling arms and bullets of different types. Information gathered by Daily Guide shows that the youth of both sides of the traditional areas are undergoing guerilla training in the bush, waiting for the go-ahead to strike.� The youth from the Krotia side of Tuobodom, who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool, are still hiding in the Buoyem rocks where they are undergoing training on how to handle weapons, Daily Guide has learnt. Similarly, youth of the Abromamum side of Tuobodom who owe allegiance to the Techiman Traditional Council are also re-arming and training at an undisclosed location. Rumours making the rounds say mercenaries from the Ashanti Region have infiltrated the Tuobodom township and its surrounding areas. When Daily Guide visited Tuobodom, there was an uneasy calm in the town as soldiers and policemen patrol the tomato-production town, armed to the teeth. In an interview with a soldier who refused to mention his name, he said so far, they have not encountered any resistance but they have also heard that the protagonists are arming themselves for a possible showdown. He warned that as peacekeepers, they will deal ruthlessly with any group of persons who will disturb the peace in the area. Opanin Kwadwo Manu, an elder from the Krotia area who spoke to Daily Guide, said the time has come for the National House of Chiefs to come out with its findings on the Tuobodom case, which they had set up a committee to investigate. He said the inability of the National House of Chiefs to come out with its findings has continued to create unnecessary tension and loss of lives. According to him, if the National House of Chiefs drags its feet on the issue and another war breaks out, posterity will not deal leniently with the outfit. He wondered how such a simple decision could not be taken to save lives and property. Meanwhile, the threat of the Asantehene that he will kidnap and behead the Techimanhene for molesting the Tuobodomhene has sent shockwaves throughout Techiman. A cross-section of residents interviewed by Daily Guide were of the opinion that the government should come in to cool tempers since there are Ashantis living in the Techiman Traditional Area with a greater number of the citizens of Techiman also residing in the Ashanti region. He said if war breaks out between the two traditional areas, it will be fatal. It will be recalled that at a meeting of the Asanteman Council, the self-exiled Tuobodom Omanhene, Nana Baffour Asare II, narrated his ordeal to the Asantehene. It was reported that the Asantehene appealed to President Mills to step in to bring the Techiman Omanhene to order, else he will also take the law into his own hands and catch the Techimanhene like the way a hawk catches a chicken anytime he visits or passes through Kumasi, adding that he will behead him in retaliation for the kidnapping and humiliation of the Tuobodomhene.