2 dead, 3 injured as Navy clashes with Kplejoo groups in Tema Newtown
The peaceful atmosphere of the Kplejoo festival in Tema Newtown was shattered by a tragic clash between Navy personnel and Kplejoo groups, resulting in two deaths and three injuries.
During the final procession of the Kplejoo festival on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024, tensions escalated when the groups defied orders from the Navy and attempted to use the street in front of the Eastern Naval Base. This defiance led to a confrontation, with members of the youth group allegedly throwing bottles and the Navy responding with gunfire.
The clash claimed the lives of two individuals, whose bodies have been taken to the mortuary, while three others are currently receiving treatment at the Tema General Hospital. Among the injured is Mr. Adjei Tetteh, who recounted the events from his hospital bed. Tetteh, a member of the Asafo group responsible for a barrier at the Tema Newtown bridge area, described how the situation escalated rapidly, with gunshots ringing out as Navy personnel blocked the road.
According to Tetteh, the intensity of the gunfire prompted him to flee, only to discover that he had been injured in the chaos, with blood streaming from his legs.
In response to the incident, officials from the Navy have indicated that a press release addressing the issue will be issued shortly, offering further details and clarification.
The tragic clash has cast a shadow over the normally joyous Kplejoo festival, leaving the community mourning the loss of lives and hoping for a swift resolution to the tensions between the Navy and the Kplejoo groups.
