The funeral of 78-year-old Emmanuel Agbozo, known as “Nil oo Nii,” in Nkurakan, Yilo Krobo Municipality, Eastern Region, Ghana, was abruptly halted on Saturday morning due to a violent family clash. The altercation prevented the burial from taking place, leading to the deceased’s body being returned to a private mortuary in nearby Huhunya. Police intervention was required to escort the body from the funeral grounds.
The catalyst for the violence was an attempt to prevent one of Agbozo’s children from participating in the funeral rites. Family members alleged that the son had abandoned his father during his illness and failed to visit him. This accusation fueled the existing tension within the family, which ultimately erupted into physical confrontation
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the late Agbozo had explicitly instructed his family, prior to his death, to bar this particular son from attending his funeral. Family members were attempting to enforce this directive, which directly clashed with the son’s presence at the ceremony, accompanied by a group of young men
The confrontation escalated quickly, resulting in property damage and injuries. Police reinforcements were called to the scene to restore order amidst the chaos. In the interest of public safety and to prevent further violence, the police made the decision to suspend the funeral indefinitely and ordered the deceased’s body to be returned to the mortuary.
Investigations into the incident are currently underway, with several suspects involved in the clash assisting the police with their inquiries. The future of the funeral arrangements remains uncertain as the family grapples with the fallout from the violent disruption.
