Yam theft suspect shot dead, farmer held in Oti Region 

Kwabena Badam, a 35-year-old farmer, was arrested by the Dambai Divisional Police Command following the fatal shooting of a man suspected of attempting to steal yams from a farm at Abongo No. 1 in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region. The incident occurred at about 0000 hours on Saturday and has triggered a police investigation. Preliminary information gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicated the deceased was allegedly caught on the farmer's land while attempting to steal a sack of yams, and the farmer was alleged to have opened fire, killing the suspect instantly.

Sources told the GNA that the farmer had repeatedly complained about persistent theft of food crops from his farm and had on several occasions reported the matter to the police. Shortly after the incident, the farmer voluntarily reported himself to the Dambai Divisional Police Command and informed officers about the shooting. He was subsequently arrested and is currently assisting police with investigations. Mr Philip Kwadwo Bidaba, Assembly Member for the Kwame-Akura East Electoral Area, told the GNA he received a telephone call in the early hours of Sunday informing him that a suspected yam thief had been shot dead in the community. He said he immediately proceeded to the Dambai Police Station, where he was informed that the suspected shooter had already reported himself to the police and had been taken into custody. According to Mr Bidaba, residents later gathered at the police station in an attempt to identify the deceased. He said he appealed to the police to allow the body bag to be opened to enable residents and community members to identify.